Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle: Report, result and goals as Ekitike inspires Reds comeback

Liverpool moved up to fifth in the Premier League as they came from behind to beat Newcastle United 4-1 at Anfield.

Both sides came into the game on the back of impressive performances in the Champions League.

But, after a strong start from Newcastle that saw them take a deserved 36th-minute lead through Anthony Gordon, Liverpool took control, with Hugo Ekitike the star.

Ekitike, whom Newcastle made a second attempt at signing in the summer, scored twice in the space of three minutes to turn the game on its head.

Florian Wirtz then made it 3-1 with a smart finish as his impressive form continued and, though Newcastle were a threat throughout, Liverpool added gloss to the scoreline when Ibrahima Konate tapped in having returned to the side following the death of his father.

The win moves Liverpool above Manchester United, who face Fulham on Sunday, while Newcastle are now six points behind them in 10th and have work to do if they are to seriously challenge for a return to the Champions League next season.

Ekitike stuns fast-starting Newcastle

Newcastle were on the front foot from the off and Harvey Barnes was unfortunate to see a fierce free-kick cannon off the post in the 26th minute.

Ekitike then delivered a harbinger of what was to come when he forced Nick Pope into a near-post save, yet Newcastle stunned Anfield as Joe Willock broke and laid the ball off for Barnes before it eventually squirmed into the path, whose brilliant finish across the face of the goal nestled in the bottom-left corner.

The Magpies were never able to settle the game down after going ahead, and their lead was erased five minutes after the opener when Ekitike prodded home after brilliant work from Florian Wirtz to get to the byline.

And it was 2-1 as quick distribution from Alisson caught the Newcastle defence out of shape, Ekitike racing into the box and beating Pope with a outside-of-the-boot finish.

Konate scores on emotional night as Liverpool clinch points

Ekitike wasted a gilt-edged chance for his hat-trick after being sent through by another long ball early in the second half, but Wirtz gave Liverpool breathing room with a fine first-time finish from Mohamed Salah’s lay-off.

Salah spurned an opportunity to make it 4-1, before Gordon dragged wide with a long-range effort, Alisson having earlier made saves from Anthony Elanga and Barnes, though both were flagged for offside.

A fourth Liverpool goal was harsh on Newcastle but received the largest cheer of the night as Konate slotted home a simple finish after Pope fumbled a corner into his path. The Frenchman was reduced to tears as he capped an admirable performance with a goal that will surely live long in the memory.