Liverpool secured their first Premier League victory of 2025 with a commanding 4-1 win over Newcastle United at Anfield on Saturday evening. After Anthony Gordon put the visitors ahead, two goals in as many minutes from Hugo Ekitike turned the game around before half-time, with Florian Wirtz and Ibrahima Konate adding second-half strikes to seal the result.
The win leaves Arne Slot's side just a point outside the top four and extends their unbeaten run to 16 matches in all competitions, with only one defeat in that period.
Player ratings from the ECHO's Ian Doyle: Alisson Becker was clobbered by Gordon early on and not always convincing with Newcastle's relentless first-half corners, but his handling improved in the second half. Trent Alexander-Arnold was not inclined to overlap early but solid defensively, becoming more of an attacking threat after the break.
Ibrahima Konate (9/10) delivered an excellent showing on his return to the starting line-up, dominating the Newcastle attack and deservedly scoring the late fourth goal. Virgil van Dijk's aerial prowess was required as Newcastle pummelled the Liverpool box before half-time, and his experience helped see the game out. Andrew Robertson had his hands full with Anthony Elanga and made a mistake to stand off Gordon for the opener, but showed good awareness to release Ekitike for the second and improved notably.
Ryan Gravenberch took a while to influence the game with forward passing but created a chance for Ekitike in the first half and was involved in the equaliser. Alexis Mac Allister inadvertently assisted Newcastle's opener and the game occasionally passed him by before he got to grips with matters in the second half; he was booked. Dominik Szoboszlai played the ball against Lewis Hall too often in the first half but his willingness to keep running created space for others and eventually led to an assist for Wirtz before being substituted.
Luis Diaz was on the periphery in the opening quarter but determined to play himself into the game, excellent to create the equaliser and good work before notching the third goal. Cody Gakpo showed plenty of endeavour but his end product was missing in the first half, occasionally to the frustration of the home crowd; his pressing, however, led to the third goal and he began to cause problems for Newcastle. Hugo Ekitike (9/10) was the one Liverpool player to threaten Nick Pope early on before taking his two goals superbly, particularly the second, in another excellent all-round attacking display; he was substituted.
