After a tumultuous spell in the Premier League marked by a frustrating five-game winless run, Liverpool sent out a resounding message with a thunderous 4-1 victory over Newcastle United at Anfield. The Reds, under the stewardship of Arne Slot, finally clinched their first top-flight win of 2026, reigniting hopes and dazzling a jubilant home crowd.
From under pressure to under the lights: a night for heroes
The tension was palpable as the whistle blew, with Liverpool fans anxiously remembering their longest league drought since 2021. Yet, what unfolded was pure spectacle. Newcastle looked the more dangerous side early on, and after Harvey Barnes rattled the woodwork, Anthony Gordon’s determined drive found the net in the 36th minute, seemingly deepening Liverpool’s woes.
But the game’s dynamic changed in the blink of an eye. Enter Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike, the dynamic duo rewriting Anfield’s script this season. Just as the St. James’ faithful began to believe, Wirtz’s sublime vision provided Ekitike with a chance he seized, equalising with precision. Less than two minutes later, Ekitike stunned the visitors again—this time with an exquisite, outside-of-the-boot finish that had the crowd out of their seats.
Midfield magic and Salah’s historic night
The energy surged midway through the second half when Wirtz once again took centre stage. This time he capped off a fluent Liverpool attack, sweeping home after a selfless lay-off from Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian talisman didn’t just orchestrate play—he made history. By assisting against Newcastle, Salah became the first player in Premier League history to notch 10+ goals and 10+ assists against a single club within the competition. That’s not just consistency; it’s legendary persistence on the big stage.
Wirtz, meanwhile, dazzled not only with his goal but his creativity. He ranked joint-third for Liverpool with two chances created, setting the tempo and rhythm that kept Newcastle on the back foot.
Stat lines that tell the story: Ekitike & Wirtz in focus
For those who love numbers, this match was a treasure trove:
- Ekitike bagged six shots—three more than any other player on the pitch.
- His two goals boosted him to 10 Premier League strikes this campaign. At 23 years and 225 days, he’s now the youngest Red to reach double figures in a season since Michael Owen two decades ago.
- The Ekitike-Wirtz partnership has yielded a league-high six combined goals—a pairing that’s electrifying Liverpool’s attack
- Liverpool’s expected goals (xG) for the game soared to 1.95, while Newcastle managed only 0.33, highlighting the Reds’ dominance. Ekitike alone contributed 1.06 of that tally.
Since December 20th, no Premier League star has matched Wirtz’s nine goal involvements (six goals, three assists) across all competitions—a remarkable run of form for the young German.
As the clock wound down, Anfield paid tribute to Ekitike, who left to a standing ovation—a moment that underscored how quickly he’s become a crowd favourite. But there was still more drama to come. Ibrahima Konate, making his return to action following a personal family loss, bundled in a late goal after Nick Pope’s error, adding a heartfelt exclamation mark to the night.