Trent Alexander-Arnold hails the significance of Naby Keita and Jordan Henderson scoring against Newcastle and Villarreal amid Liverpool’s pursuit of a quadruple, via The Guardian.
The Reds kept pace with Manchester City atop the Premier League table with a 1-0 win at Newcastle on Saturday. Keita struck the only goal of the game on 19 minutes by drilling in after running around Martin Dubravka, as the Magpies kept the Merseyside outfit honest.
- Everton’s last XI before Moshiri takeover, only one survivor
- England at the World Cup: Three Lions’ group stage record ahead of Qatar
A win kept Liverpool just a point behind their title-rivals, ahead of visiting Villarreal for their Champions League semi-final second-leg on Tuesday. Jurgen Klopp’s side face Unai Emery’s men leading 2-0 after Pervis Estupinan (own goal) and Sadio Mane’s Anfield hits.
Estupinan could only divert the ball into his own net to break the deadlock when trying to block Henderson’s cross. The Liverpool skipper had four unchecked Liverpool shirts to aim for inside the box, but needed neither as the full-back’s block wrongfooted Geronimo Rulli.
Liverpool sensed blood with Villarreal reeling from falling behind and Mane hit home two minutes later. The Senegal winger stormed through from Mohamed Salah’s pass to stretch out a shot low past Rulli. He had already enjoyed a handful of solid chances before scoring.
Keita and Henderson giving Liverpool ‘different feeling’, says Alexander-Arnold
Alexander-Arnold sat out Liverpool’s win over Newcastle as Klopp allowed his mind to look ahead to facing Villarreal early. A seat on the bench afforded the full-back a different view as Keita secured the Reds three points at St James’ Park with another goal that he relishes.
“Those goals give you a different feeling that this is big – this is massive,” he said. “Same with the three points. These are the best times we are going to have as a team.”
Liverpool still need Manchester City to drop points in the final four games to lift a second Premier League title. Klopp and Alexander-Arnold will arrive at Villarreal full of confidence of making the Champions League final, having only lost on the road twice all season so far.
Both defeats have also come in the top-flight, with West Ham in November and Leicester in December victorious. Additionally, Liverpool have won all five of their away Champions League fixtures to date this term, while just two of those games were decided by one goal.
Receive exclusive football transfer news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
