3 things we learned from Liverpool’s 2-0 win over Newcastle

Liverpool are putting the pressure on Manchester City in the race for top four, though they didn’t win as comfortably as they would have liked on Monday. They had to withstand a heavy spell of pressure by Newcastle, but did so thanks to Simon Mignolet and ran out 2-0 winners.

It didn’t take long for Liverpool to go in front. After they won the ball back in midfield, Philippe Coutinho and Jordan Henderson played a pretty exchange before switching the ball to the left flank. Raheem Sterling, who was completely unmarked, took the ball down and dribbled past two defenders before flipping a pretty shot over Tim Krul’s hand into the back of the net at the far post. After nine minutes, the Reds were already in front.

Lucas nearly scored on a header in the 36th minute, but Krul came up with a brilliant save, and it was Liverpool’s last chance for a while. Newcastle dominated for the rest of the half, and were unlucky not to score. Ayoze Perez appeared to win a penalty in the 38th minute when he was kicked down by Dejan Lovren, but referee Lee Mason didn’t give it. Mignolet had to make a big save seven minutes later, tipping over a header by Perez.

Newcastle picked up where they left off to start the first half, forcing Mignolet to make a fantastic punch away on a Remy Cabella cross that was bound for Perez, who would have tapped into an empty net. But Liverpool got themselves together after that and eventually found a second goal.

Sterling missed a clear chance in the 56th minute, inexplicably shooting wide, but they didn’t have to wait too long to solidify their lead. Joe Allen netted their second in the 70th minute, finishing off a set piece scramble.

Any chances Newcastle had of coming back were dashed in the 83rd minute, when Moussa Sissoko went in studs up on Lucas. His challenge could have drawn a straight red, and he was actually lucky to only see a second yellow.

Goals: Sterling (9’), Allen (70’)

Goals: None.

1. Liverpool’s front three worked -- In a rare move, Liverpool opted to play Philippe Coutinho as the false nine in a 4-3-3, flanked by Raheem Sterling on the left and Jordan Ibe on the right. Coutinho was effective in his new role, Sterling destroyed Ryan Taylor on his flank and Ibe did well getting down the flank and crossing. The combo worked well because they’re three different types of players, and having two different kinds of wingers in particular was difficult for Newcastle to deal with.

2. Their defense didn’t -- Because it’s been a rough couple of months for Kolo Toure, Brendan Rodgers didn’t turn to him on Monday, even with Mamadou Sakho and Martin Skrtel out. Instead, he went to a two-man center of defense with Dejan Lovren and Emre Can, which didn’t work out so well. Lovren was his usual self, lacking coordination or composure, while Can continues to look a bit more like a midfielder than a defender. Newcastle should have had a first-half penalty off a Lovren error and failed to capitalize on numerous other chances they were gifted.

3. At least Newcastle are fun -- So Newcastle aren’t having a good season and might lose some of their top players this summer, but they have plenty to build on. Mehdi Abeid, Remy Cabella and Ayoze Perez are all young and they all had good games. They weren’t the best in front of goal, but they all had flashes of real brilliance and might have produced more with a real striker in their ranks. Adam Armstrong, the teenager who came on as a late sub, might be that for them in the future.