Liverpool maintain quadruple hopes with victory at Newcastle

Naby Keita ensured Liverpool’s quadruple hopes remain very much alive as he fired them to victory at in-form Newcastle to keep up the pressure on Premier League title rivals Manchester City.

Keita’s assured first-half finish was enough to claim a 1-0 win at St James’ Park on a day when Reds manager Jurgen Klopp was able to rest Trent Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Thiago Alcantara and Mohamed Salah from his startling line-up ahead of Tuesday’s decisive Champions League semi-final trip to Villarreal.

Liverpool might have won more comfortably in front of a boisterous crowd of 52,281 as they held the upper hand for much of a contest which saw the Magpies’ hopes of a fifth successive league win and a seventh on the trot at home wilt in the face of almost constant pressure.

Liverpool midfielder James Milner told the BBC: “At this stage of the season the points are the most important thing. It was a good performance in spells. We could have controlled it a bit better but they are a good team. It’s a tough place to come and a great place to play football.

"There’s always pressure. When you play for Liverpool you are expected to win every game. The pressure comes from the dressing room and from the manager, making sure we are the highest level. That’s what the training comes in for, days like these.

"They caused us problems and we had to make a few changes. They are a good side with good players and it was a good test for us. Thankfully we were able to keep a clean sheet, which has been so important for us lately. They guys at the back have done a great job."