JAKARTA - Liverpool appeared like a toothless tiger when they played goalless at Newcastle United in Week 16 of the Premier League at St Stadium. James' Park, Wednesday local time or Thursday morning WIB.
Juergen Klopp's team failed to dismantle the Newcastle defense again, repeating the same thing when West Bromwich Albion was matched at Anfield four days ago.
Based on statistics reported by Antara from the official Premier League website, Liverpool only fired 11 attempted shots throughout the match, most of which were wasted and only four met targets.
Liverpool's first good chance was born in the 34th minute when Jordan Henderson sent a measured hull towards Mohamed Salah, but the Egyptian forward failed to beat goalkeeper Karl Darlow when he came one-on-one.
At the end of the first half, Roberto Firmino could have finished the better on Sadio Mane's cross, unfortunately his shot was saved by Darlow.
The visitors continued to work hard to dismantle the Newcastle defense and in the 66th minute Roberto Firmino sent a good through ball but unfortunately Salah's finish went wide of the target.
Three minutes later, Darlow made a mistake when he had already left his nest to block a corner but a free-standing Firmino headed the ball into the side of the net.
The many wasted chances were nearly paid for by Liverpool in the 79th minute when Matt Ritchie's free-kick was met by a Ciaran Clark header, but keeper Alisson Becker saved the visitors' goal.
Two minutes later, Darlow made another resounding save when he reacted to the spot to block Mane's close-range shot that the Senegalese forward did not do perfectly when he met Andy Robertson's cross.
Two minutes from the end of Darlow's half-time goal, Darlow kept the Newcastle goal untouched by making two consecutive saves that started with a corner with another Firmino header and clearing a ball that almost headed for Salah.
The result kept Liverpool at the top with a collection of 33 points but their three-point advantage could disappear at any time as Manchester United (30) in second place saved one game more.
Meanwhile, Newcastle (19), despite failing to win in four consecutive matches, continues to keep its chances of avoiding the relegation zone by finishing 14th with a safe distance of eight points.
Newcastle will play early in the opening match of 2021 by hosting Leicester City this Sunday, while Liverpool are only playing a day later at Southampton.
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