Liverpool continued their 100% start to the new Premier League season with a fifth win from five this afternoon, coming from behind to beat Newcastle United at Anfield.
The hosts were stunned seven minutes in when Newcastle took the lead through Jetro Willems, but that proved to be the Magpies' only shot on target.
A brace from Sadio Mane sent Liverpool into half time ahead, and Mohamed Salah added a third to put the game to bed with around 20 minutes remaining.
Here, Sports Mole takes an in-depth look at how the match unfolded on Merseyside.
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Match statistics
LIVERPOOL
Shots: 21
On target: 9
Possession: 76%
Corners: 10
Fouls: 5
NEWCASTLE
Shots: 8
On target: 1
Possession: 24%
Corners: 1
Fouls: 4
Was the result fair?
Absolutely. Newcastle made a bright start and hinted at a major upset with their early goal, before frustrating the hosts with their stubborn defensive play and five at the back. Ultimately the gulf in class told, though, and the stats do not lie on this occasion - Liverpool very much deserved their win against opposition they love facing.
Liverpool's performance
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The hosts were slow to get going in the absence of Roberto Firmino, but their dominance and pressure increased as the first half wore on. Newcastle's opener would have knocked them having not been behind at any stage of the Premier League season before today, but they deserved to take the lead into the break courtesy of Sadio Mane's brace.
The second half was almost all Liverpool too - with the exception of one good chance for Newcastle - and Firmino in particular exuded the type of free-flowing football which suffocated the visitors both on and off the ball following his introduction. It will not go down as their most complete performance of the campaign, but they were comfortably good enough to pick up another three points and maintain their 100% start.
Newcastle's performance
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Steve Bruce's game plan was clear to see from the off as Newcastle attempted to repeat their performance against Tottenham Hotspur last month, and they certainly made things difficult for Liverpool for much of the first half. Holding on to a lead for 83 minutes at Anfield is a big ask, though, and sure enough Liverpool eventually found ways through with their increasing pressure.
The Magpies showed a more adventurous side towards the start of the second half, but they were simply second best in most areas of the field after the interval. Firmino toyed with them at times and, but for a string of saves from Dubravka, they could have been on the end of a much heavier scoreline this afternoon.
Sports Mole's man of the match
ROBERTO FIRMINO
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Mane may have scored twice and Salah also got himself on the scoresheet, but the player who left the Liverpool fans purring today was Firmino. The Brazilian only featured for 53 minutes, but the ease with which Liverpool created chances after his introduction compared to before was stark.
Newcastle simply could not live with him at times, and it was not just the impact he had either. The style with which Firmino found his attacking teammates was a joy to behold, bringing out all of his flicks and tricks, and always at the right time too. Salah and Mane perhaps gets more plaudits than the man through the middle, but on current form it could be argued that Firmino is the most important of the trio.
Referee performance
Andre Marriner missed one penalty shout when Joel Matip was clearly hauled to ground by Jamaal Lascelles in the area, and the decision by VAR not to overturn it was all the more bemusing. Fabian Schar was also fortunate to avoid sterner punishment for a two-footed challenge on Mane, although on the whole it was a fairly straightforward fixture to referee and he did not have to go to his pocket once.
What next?
Liverpool: The Reds begin the defence of their Champions League crown in Italy on Tuesday when they face Napoli at the Stadio San Paolo.
Newcastle: Newcastle are back at St James' Park on Saturday when they host Brighton & Hove Albion.
Barney Corkhill
