The media on LFC 3-1 Newcastle: 'Mane steps up to the plate once more'
Sadio Mane netted a double and Mohamed Salah was also on the mark as Liverpool swept aside Newcastle United 3-1 at Anfield on Saturday.
The Reds recovered after going a goal down to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League, with Roberto Firmino emerging from the bench to provide two key assists.
Here is what the media made of the victory…
Neil Jones, Goal.com
Newcastle had not won here in any competition since November 1995, and not in the league since April 1994, but for a time Steve Bruce’s men were dreaming of becoming the first visiting side to triumph here in the league since April 2017. Mane killed off those dreams. The Senegal star has been in red-hot form for what feels like an eternity, and with his team in need, he stepped up to the plate once more. His first was a beauty, curled into the top corner after excellent work from Andy Robertson, while his second was an exercise in persistence, latching onto substitute Firmino’s pass, benefiting from a lucky bounce off goalkeeper Martin Dubravka to score. Thanks to Mane, normal service had been resumed before half-time. The forward now has 20 goals in his last 21 Premier League games at Anfield, and moves level with Sergio Aguero on 18 for the calendar year. In a team of stars – a league of stars – he continues to shine as brightly as any.
David Prentice, Liverpool Echo
Klopp knows exactly how important Fabinho has been to the incredible run of results Liverpool have posted in that timescale. Firmino is understandably cast as the most influential unsung hero of Klopp’s first choice starting XI. No-one is taking that mantle any time soon, especially after Saturday's outrageous impact off the bench. But Fabinho exerts his own very important influence on this side. He does what all good central midfielders do, always making himself available and moving the ball on with a minimum of fuss, effectively and efficiently. He tackled sharply and swiftly to dispossess Joelinton in the 19th minute and then provided the pass of the half - at least until Firmino came on - with a sweetly lofted chip to Trent Alexander Arnold which the young full-back attempted to cross rather than shoot.
Melissa Reddy, ESPN
Virgil van Dijk labelled him the greatest teammate he has played with. Klopp doesn't believe there is a match in world football for his "exceptional" combination of skill and effort. Andrew Robertson said he can "do it all" and Liverpool wouldn't trade him for anyone. If you were somehow still in the dark about the luminary qualities of Firmino, Liverpool's 3-1 swatting away of Newcastle United at Anfield on Saturday afternoon was the latest stage to illustrate the Brazil international's brilliance. He was introduced on 37 minutes owing to Divock Origi suffering a twisted ankle, but was comfortably - and strikingly - man of the match. Firmino did not score, but came off the bench to conjure Liverpool's second and third goals for Mane and Salah, respectively. Firmino's movement was mesmeric, typically creating space for those around him to prosper.
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