3 Positives and 3 Negatives to take from Liverpool 2 Newcastle 0 | OneFootball

Wednesday night’s match ended Liverpool 2 Newcastle 0.

Ahead of each match we ask one of our writers to come up with three positives and three negatives following the game.

Plenty to talk about after this one.

On this occasion it is ‘Matt Busby said to Joe Harvey…’:

POSITIVES

That wasn’t the Final

A dress rehearsal? I think not.

A very different competition and one in which Liverpool are excelling. They’ve only been stopped once in the league this season, ironically to a side Newcastle United have done the double over.

The reds were highly unlikely to fluff their lines at Anfield on Wednesday night and are now 13 points clear at the top.

Wembley in just over a fortnight will be different. It certainly needs to be.

The table hasn’t changed much

Chelsea were always going to beat Southampton and I’m assuming Man City, who won at Spurs, will finish in the top three, possibly runners up with Arteta’s charges continuing to drop points and draw blanks.

Consecutive away defeats at the Etihad and Anfield for NUFC were always on the cards, so that win over Forest looks all the more important as we strive for fourth, possibly fifth, by the end of the season.

To do that, we need to remain in the race and lying sixth, four points off third, means that we still are.

Isak dropped as a precaution?

Feeling his groin in the lead up to the game, Eddie decided not to risk Alex.

The news on Isak post-match seems positive.

We need him for Wembley and if that’s what Eddie is prioritising, I’ll back him on that.

By the way, Botman and big Joe also look highly likely to be in the frame for that showdown on 16 March.

Lame and tame

Whilst there is an argument to say we weren’t that bad first half, we certainly put up the white flag after the break.

Surrendering in such fashion, irrespective of the opponent, doesn’t inspire very much, especially when we know it’s this mob we’re facing at the national stadium next month.

Wilson a bit rusty

Callum Wilson didn’t manage to convert that one-on-one he had with Allison Becker.

Whilst some might claim Callum’s extended time out with injuries has finally caught up with him, I’m not so sure.

Rusty? Yes.

Past his sell by date? Not quite.

Paper thin

With Isak, Botman and Joelinton on the treatment table, and I’m not saying that wouldn’t adversely affect anyone in the Premier League, the starting eleven looks a bit lightweight, the bench even more so.

Liverpool 2 Newcastle 0 – Wednesday 26 February 2025 8.15pm

(Stats via BBC Sport)

Goals:

Newcastle United:

Liverpool:

Szoboszlai 11, Mac Allister 63

Possession was Newcastle 39% Liverpool 61%

Total shots were Newcastle 3 Liverpool 12

Shots on target were Newcastle 0 Liverpool 3

Corners were Newcastle 2 Liverpool 4

Touches in the box Newcastle 16 Liverpool 29

Newcastle team v Liverpool:

Pope, Livramento (Trippier 69), Schar, Burn, Hall, Bruno (Longstaff 88), Tonali (Miley 69), Willock (Barnes 68), Gordon, Wilson (Osula 69), Murphy

Subs:

Dubravka, Ruddy, Krafth, Targett

(Match Report – Nothing to get upset about – Liverpool 2 Newcastle 0 – Read HERE)

(Liverpool 2 Newcastle 0 – Instant Newcastle United fan/writer reaction – Read HERE)

Saturday 16 March – Newcastle v Liverpool (4.30pm) Carabao Cup final – Sky Sports