Recap

Liverpool Overcome Early Deficit to Thrash Newcastle 4-1 at Anfield

Liverpool secured their first Premier League victory of 2026 with a commanding 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Anfield on February 1, ending a five-game winless streak in the league and climbing to fifth in the table with 39 points from 24 matches.

Match Summary: A Tale of Two Halves

The encounter began with Newcastle asserting dominance in the opening period, capitalizing on Liverpool’s shaky form that had seen them slip to sixth place prior to kickoff. The visitors, sitting ninth with 33 points from 23 games, struck first in the 35th minute through Anthony Gordon, who fired a low shot into the bottom corner following a swift counter-attack. This was Gordon’s first Premier League goal from open play in over a year, rewarding Newcastle’s physical approach and control of possession during the majority of the first half.

Liverpool, under manager Arne Slot, appeared vulnerable, with Mohamed Salah wasting a clear chance set up by Dominik Szoboszlai earlier in the half. The last 20 minutes of the opening period turned chaotic and open, setting the stage for a dramatic turnaround. Just five minutes after falling behind, Hugo Ekitike leveled the scores with a clinical finish after a delightful team move orchestrated by Florian Wirtz, who danced past three defenders—including leaving Kieran Trippier on his knees—before squaring the ball for Ekitike to prod past goalkeeper Nick Pope.

The momentum shifted irreversibly two minutes later. Milos Kerkez lofted a long ball down the line, which Ekitike chased with blistering pace, skipping past Malick Thiaw before curling a shot with the outside of his right foot into the far corner. This quickfire brace from the French international, Liverpool’s £69 million summer signing from Eintracht Frankfurt, transformed the Anfield atmosphere and sent the Reds into halftime leading 2-1.

The second half belonged entirely to Liverpool. Wirtz extended the lead with a smart low finish, continuing his impressive goalscoring run since arriving as another high-profile summer addition. The German’s quick feet and vision were pivotal, having already set up Ekitike’s opener. As the game entered stoppage time, Ibrahima Konaté sealed the victory with a header, marking an emotional moment on his first appearance since the tragic death of his father. The defender’s tearful celebration underscored the personal significance amid the professional triumph.

Newcastle’s frustrations boiled over, with Gordon booked for a late lunge on goalkeeper Alisson Becker after earlier clattering into Alexis Mac Allister. Without the creativity of injured Bruno Guimarães, the Magpies resorted to physical intimidation but faded as Liverpool’s quality prevailed. This result extends Newcastle’s winless streak in their last 30 league visits to Anfield, further jeopardizing their Champions League aspirations.

Key Highlights and Turning Points

• Anthony Gordon’s Opener (35′): Newcastle’s swift counter rewarded their first-half dominance, with Gordon ending his open-play goal drought.
• Ekitike’s Equalizer (40′): Wirtz’s mesmerizing dribble through three defenders set up the Frenchman for a simple tap-in, igniting Anfield.
• Ekitike’s Winner (42′): Blistering pace and composure on a Kerkez through ball turned the game on its head in just two minutes.
• Wirtz’s Second-Half Strike: A low drive made it 3-1, showcasing the summer signing’s growing influence.
• Konaté’s Emotional Stoppage-Time Goal: A header in added time capped a deserved win and provided a poignant finish.

These moments highlighted Liverpool’s resilience, transforming a concerning first-half display into a statement performance. Ekitike’s brace in particular papered over early cracks, while Newcastle’s inability to sustain pressure exposed their road woes.

Standout Players: Ekitike and Wirtz Shine Bright

Hugo Ekitike emerged as the undisputed star, scoring twice in rapid succession to swing the match decisively. The 23-year-old Frenchman, once Newcastle’s primary summer target as a potential replacement for Alexander Isak, rubbed salt in the wounds by delivering against his would-be former club. Liverpool also prised Isak away in a British record transfer, though the Swede watched from the bench while recovering from a broken leg. Ekitike’s clinical finishing, pace, and opportunism justified his hefty price tag, with his goals coming at crucial junctures.

Florian Wirtz was equally instrumental, providing the assist for Ekitike’s first and netting the third himself. The fellow summer arrival’s trickery dismantled Newcastle’s defense repeatedly, earning him rapid favor among Anfield faithful. His ability to glide past multiple markers and deliver precise passes underscored why Liverpool invested heavily in the German prodigy.

Ibrahima Konaté’s late goal carried deep emotional weight, marking his return from grief. Defensively solid alongside Virgil van Dijk, he contributed to a clean sheet aside from Gordon’s strike. In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch offered stability, while Cody Gakpo and Salah threatened throughout despite the Egyptian’s earlier miss. For Newcastle, Gordon showed promise with his goal but was undone by disciplinary issues, and Nick Pope made several key saves before the floodgates opened.

Team Lineups and Tactical Insights

Liverpool lined up in a 4-3-3 formation: Alisson Becker in goal; Milos Kerkez, Ibrahima Konaté, Virgil van Dijk, and an unnamed right-back; Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch, and Alexis Mac Allister in midfield; with Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Mohamed Salah, and Hugo Ekitike up top. Substitutions allowed freshness in the second half, enabling the late surge.

Newcastle, missing Bruno Guimarães’ creativity, relied on physicality but lacked penetration post-goal. Anthony Gordon led the line alongside forwards like N. Woltemade, but defensive lapses—particularly from Kieran Trippier and Malick Thiaw—proved costly. Their approach yielded diminishing returns as Liverpool’s technical superiority emerged.

Broader Implications for the Title Race and Europe

This victory propels Liverpool to fifth with 39 points (11 wins, 6 draws, 7 losses, +6 goal difference), overtaking Manchester United and closing the gap to Champions League spots. Arsenal lead with 53 points from 24 games, followed by Manchester City and Aston Villa on 46. Liverpool’s strong European showings by English clubs likely secure fifth as a qualification berth next season.

For Newcastle (9-6-8, 33 points), the defeat compounds away struggles and widens the chasm to top-four contenders like Brentford and Fulham on 33 and 34 points respectively. Their summer transfer misses—Ekitike and Isak to Liverpool—sting anew, hindering a sustained push.

Recent head-to-heads favor Liverpool: wins in August 2025 (2-3 at Newcastle), February 2025 (2-0), and others, despite a March 2025 Carabao Cup loss. This result reaffirms Anfield’s fortress status against the Magpies.

Arne Slot’s Relief and Liverpool’s Momentum

Arne Slot’s side had endured a turbulent start to 2026, but Ekitike and Wirtz’s flashes of brilliance signal a bright path ahead. The quickfire double masked first-half concerns, yet the second-period dominance suggests growing cohesion among high-value signings. Konaté’s return adds defensive steel, vital for title aspirations.

Newcastle’s Eddie Howe faces questions over squad depth without Guimarães and with transfer regrets. Gordon’s goal offers hope, but physicality alone won’t suffice against elite attacks. As the Premier League intensifies, Liverpool’s revival positions them as genuine contenders, while Newcastle must regroup to salvage European dreams.

The 4-1 scoreline encapsulates Liverpool’s transformation from behind to bullish, with Ekitike’s heroics etching his name into Anfield lore. Fans depart optimistic, eyeing a sustained challenge atop the table.