And once the game kicked off, Liverpool simply couldn’t match the Magpies’ desire and intensity. All over the field, Liverpool looked like it was losing its battles. Sandro Tonali and Joelinton’s physicality was too much to handle and Guimaraes himself added steel as well as silk and flair.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has reiterated his firm desire to keep Virgil van Dijk at the club amid growing uncertainty surrounding the centre-back's future.