Newcastle ace Karl Darlow will have earned himself a small glass of fizz for the celebrations at midnight tomorrow after denying Liverpool with a string of incredible saves in their 0-0 draw on Wednesday night.
The former Nottingham Forest goalkeeper, who is perhaps becoming the most important player for Steve Bruce, denied the Reds time after time as they were held to a draw for the second game in a row.
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Just days after West Bromwich Albion frustrated the Premier League champions at Anfield, it was the turn of Newcastle to rebuff Jurgen Klopp’s side on a freezing cold night at St James’ Park.
Despite the free-flowing attacking trident of Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino all looking back to their best, the visitors were actually fortunate to enter the interval without being penetrated themselves.
Newcastle started brightly with Callum Wilson forcing two saves from keeper Alisson inside the opening 12 minutes and giving as good as they got for much of the half.
However, Liverpool had the chance to respond 11 minutes before the break when Salah stabbed wide having seemingly done the hard work, and it took a fine reaction save from Darlow to deny Firmino in stoppage time and ensure the sides headed back to the dressing rooms with the scoreline still 0-0.
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The second half became far more challenging for the hosts as they grew weary and the return of Thiago saw them stretched to cover the space in behind.
Mane headed into the side-netting from Alexander-Arnold’s 49th-minute corner and when Liverpool turned the screw with the Senegal star going through his full repertoire of tricks, the Magpies rearguard came under increasing pressure.
But it was Salah who once again should have broken the deadlock with 66 minutes gone when he was played in by Firmino but after steadying himself, directed his effort past the upright.
Firmino was equally wasteful when presented with a glorious chance at the far post three minutes later as Newcastle rode their luck.
It very nearly got much better for the Magpies 11 minutes from time when Ciaran Clark met Matt Ritchie’s free-kick with a downward header which Alisson had to turn away.
But Schar hacked the ball off his own line ahead of Mane seconds later and Darlow brilliantly clawed away another Firmino header at the death to preserve his clean sheet.
While Liverpool will end the year top of the table, this was a missed opportunity for them with Manchester United just three points behind and having played a game less.
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