Khabor Wala Desk
Published: 1st February 2026, 10:13 AM
Liverpool produced one of their most commanding performances of the season at Anfield, overturning an early deficit to defeat Newcastle United 4-1. The victory propels Jurgen Klopp’s side above Manchester United into fifth place in the Premier League table, reinforcing their credentials as one of the league’s most formidable teams.
In recent weeks, Liverpool had faced criticism for a lack of creativity in attack. However, in their first league win of 2026, those concerns were emphatically dispelled. The team combined flair and pace to devastating effect, with Liverpool scoring more than three goals at Anfield for the first time since their opening-day victory over Bournemouth.
The standout performer was Hugo Ekitike, who scored twice to turn the game decisively in Liverpool’s favour. He received excellent support from Florian Wirtz, with the duo already combining for six goals across all competitions this season, making them one of the Premier League’s most effective attacking partnerships.
The match, however, did not begin in Liverpool’s favour. Newcastle drew first blood through Anthony Gordon, who scored from open play for the first time in over a year. Yet Liverpool gradually took control. Newcastle, missing key midfielders Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton, struggled to match Liverpool’s tempo and fluidity.
Just before half-time, Ekitike levelled the score after a superb dribble and pass from Wirtz. Less than two minutes later, he struck again, expertly controlling a long pass from Milos Kerkez to give Liverpool the lead. The momentum had decisively shifted.
In the second half, Newcastle’s fatigue became apparent, having faced a challenging midweek Champions League fixture against PSG. Liverpool capitalised on this, with a slick combination between Wirtz and Mohamed Salah producing the third goal, effectively sealing the contest. Late in the game, Ibrahima Konaté delivered an emotional final touch, scoring his first goal in three matches since returning to the starting XI following his father’s passing, completing the 4-1 rout.
Key Match Events:
| Minute | Scorer | Team | Score |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12′ | Anthony Gordon | Newcastle | 0-1 |
| 44′ | Hugo Ekitike | Liverpool | 1-1 |
| 46′ | Hugo Ekitike | Liverpool | 2-1 |
| 63′ | Florian Wirtz / Mohamed Salah | Liverpool | 3-1 |
| 85′ | Ibrahima Konaté | Liverpool | 4-1 |
This victory has reinvigorated Liverpool’s confidence, bringing them within a single point of fourth-placed Chelsea. It also marks the team’s first comeback victory after trailing since April. Newcastle, meanwhile, remain plagued by their inconsistent away form and have dropped to a disappointing tenth place in the standings.
Klopp praised his side after the game: “The resilience shown by the players was outstanding. To come from behind and secure three vital points at Anfield shows the character and quality of this team.”
With this win, Liverpool not only reinforce their top-five credentials but also send a strong signal to the rest of the league: they remain a potent force, capable of turning games around through pace, precision, and teamwork.
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