Liverpool vs Newcastle player ratings: the Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz show! Summer signings see Reds overtake Newcastle after Anthony Gordon’s first game & more related news here

Newcastle overwhelmed Liverpool for much of the first half, with the Magpies dominating the ball and putting pressure on Alisson’s goal with attack after attack. Newcastle’s attack of Harvey Barnes, Anthony Elanga and Anthony Gordon caused the Reds no end of problems, and it was the latter, playing as a makeshift number nine who made the difference. Gordon took advantage of a loose ball following a challenge by Alexis Mac Allister, beat Milos Kerkez and fired past Alisson after 36 minutes.

Unfortunately for Eddie Howe’s team, it was a goal that woke up the Anfield crowd and the Liverpool players. Five minutes after trailing, Florian Wirtz weaved in and out of the challenges, reaching the byline before cutting back to Ekitike, who slotted in at the near post. The Frenchman then made it his second in as many minutes as he beat Malick Thiaw and, with the outside of his right foot, beat Nick Pope and into the bottom right corner.

Newcastle responded with fire of their own and looked to regain control of the game at the start of the second half, but Liverpool’s defense held firm. Solid foundations allowed the home team to advance, roared by the Anfield crowd, in a series of counter-attacks reminiscent of a Jurgen Klopp team. Wirtz carried out one such attack in the 67th minute before attacking Salah, who passed the German on the edge of the area to sweep into the bottom left corner and put the game beyond doubt. Ibrahima Konate, who had an immense presence at the back, added a final quarter to cap a brilliant performance.

GOAL Rate the Liverpool players at Anfield…