Wednesday 15 / January / 2025
Liverpool: Liverpool have to try to mount a miracle comeback against Barcelona when they face in their UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg next Tuesday and they may have to do so without Mohamed Salah.
The Egyptian forward had to be stretchered off during Liverpool’s Premier League game against Newcastle.
He suffered a blow to the head in a collision with goalkeeper Martin Dubravkaand went off holding his head and in tears.
The 3-2 victory at Newcastle, secured by late winner from Divock Origi, propelled Liverpool back to the top of the Premier League. Nine-man Tottenham lost once more on the road 1-0 at Bournemouth.
At the other end of the table, Cardiff were relegated after their 3-2 defeat against Crystal Palace.
Liverpool’s exciting title battle with Manchester City is now guaranteed to go down to the final day of the season as Jurgen Klopp’s men moved two points ahead once more at the top.
“If we are champions then we are champions, you can’t feel pressure when you do your best,” said Klopp. “94 points is incredible. Today was a battle of will but it was a victory of passion, heart and absolute desire -- absolutely brilliant.”
Virgil van Dijk headed the visitors into an early lead at St. James’ Park, but Liverpool were fortunate when Newcastle levelled through Christian Atsu.
Alexander-Arnold was the creator as Klopp’s men quickly retook the lead through Salah. However, Rondon levelled once more for Newcastle early in the second half.
Yet, despite also missing Roberto Firmino through injury, Liverpool found a response four minutes from time when Origi flicked home Xherdan Shaqiri’s free-kick.
“You feel the emotion. It’s a very special season for everyone,” said Origi. “But as a player you have to channel that feeling into the performance and in the end it
worked out.”
“In our situation, people were maybe expecting us to show nerves, but we didn’t,” Klopp said.
“To run so many kilometres in Barcelona and then come to Newcastle, for what is not a friendly game, with all the long balls and chaos from [Salomon] Rondon, means you have to do it with legs, and that makes it even more intense. We showed real heart and passion.”
Right now, it has to be hope rather than expectation that Liverpool will finish the campaign with silverware.
Spurs slip up again
Tottenham also have a 1-0 Champions League semi-final deficit to overturn against Ajax on Wednesday, but still have work to do to qualify for the competition next season after a sixth straight away league defeat. Son Heung-min and Juan Foyth were sent-off either side of half-time.
Mauricio Pochettino’s side looked like they would hold on for a point as the match entered stoppage-time, but Bournemouth defender Nathan Ake ended third-placed Tottenham’s stubborn resistance to delay their attempt to guarantee a place in the top four.
Fourth-placed Chelsea will now go above Spurs if they defeat Watford and Arsenal, currently fifth, will move to within one point of their north London rivals if they beat Brighton on Sunday.
