DIVOCK Origi emerged from the bench to breathe life into Liverpool’s title bid as his header secured a 3-2 win over Newcastle at St James’ Park.
Liverpool’s hopes of securing a first title in 29 years looked to be hanging by a thread with the sides level at 2-2 and the clock edging towards the 90-minute mark.
However, Origi, on for the injured Mohamed Salah, rose highest to head home a Xherdan Shaqiri set-piece – via a Jamal Lascelles deflection – to send the visiting support into raptures with just four minutes of normal time remaining.
The Reds raced into a 13th-minute lead when the PFA’s Player of the Year Virgil Van Dijk again underlined his threat from set-pieces with a headed goal from Trent Alexander-Arnold’s corner delivery.
But the visitors’ joy was short-lived. Just seven minutes later, Christian Atsu grabbed Newcastle an equaliser, hammering in a rebound after Alexander-Arnold had blocked Saloman Rondon’s initial effort with his arm on the line.
Perhaps, fortunate to stay on the pitch, Alexander-Arnold provided another beautiful assist, his 11th of the season, picking out Salah whose side-footed finish into the bottom corner was equally as delightful as the cross.
But Newcastle piled the pressure on when Rondon levelled in the 54th-minute with a lovely finish, and Liverpool’s cause wasnot helped when Salah was stretchered off with a head injury.
However, Liverpool’s substitutes came to the rescue when Shaqiri, making his first appearance since February, swung in a teasing cross that Origi headed off Lascelles to win the points.
The win moves Liverpool two points clear of Manchester City having played a game more, with The Citizens welcoming Brendan Rodgers’ Leicester City to the Etihad on today. – Eurosport
CAPTION: