Result: Newcastle United 0-0 Liverpool
Date: 30 December 2020
Venue: St James' Park
Liverpool endured a frustrating night in front of goal after playing to a goalless draw against Newcastle United on Wednesday night.
With Joel Matip missing out through injury, Nathaniel Philipps was a run alongside Fabinho while former James Milner, who had a loan spell at Newcastle, came into the midfield.
The first real opening of the half fell to Newcastle on 13 minutes when Callum Wilson managed to race clear of Philipps into the box, but his effort was blocked by Fabinho.
After a slow start, the Reds started seeing more of the ball and they should have gone ahead in the final 15 minutes of the half through Mohamed Salah, who saw his placed effort tipped away by Magpies shot-stopper Karl Darlow, before Roberto Firmino had a close-range header saved.
The Reds carried the momentum into the second half, with another opening falling to Salah in the box after some good individual work but the Egyptian sent his effort inches wide of the upright.
Jurgen Klopp responded with a double change for the final 20 minutes as Curtis Jones and Milner made way for the returning Thiago Alcantara and Georginio Wijnaldum.
Ciaran Clark almost got the home side the opening goal in the 78th minute against the run of play, but his towering header forced a good save out of Alisson Becker.
Darlow, who was Newcastle's best player, ensured his side walked away with a point after deny Sadio Mane in the box before keeping out another header from Firmino late in the half.
