Despite a shaky start to the game, Liverpool maintained their 100% record Premier League after a dominant 3-1 win over Newcastle this afternoon.
After Willems' spectacular opener inside the first 10 minutes, the away side never really threatened. Liverpool were on top throughout, and in truth the scoreline probably flattered Newcastle.
Roberto Firmino has stole most of the plaudits after a stunning pair of assists, but Sadio Mane also put in a huge performance, bagging a brace. Not only that, the Senegal international also broke an impressive Premier League record this afternoon.
He became the first player in Premier League history to go undefeated in their first 50 home games for one club. That is some stat.
Sadio Mane becomes the first player in @premierleague history to play 50 home games for one club without defeat 🔥
5️⃣0️⃣ #PL games
4️⃣1️⃣ Wins
9️⃣ Draws pic.twitter.com/eD2WpuIMXF— Liverpool FC (@LFC) September 14, 2019
Anfield has certainly become a fortress for Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, having gone unbeaten at home in the league for the last two seasons.
Their last league defeat at the ground came in April of 2017, a 3-1 loss to Crystal Palace. While Mane was at the club at the time, he did not feature in that game.
His two goal effort was not enough to earn him man-of-the-match honours this afternoon, with Roberto Firmino getting the award. The Brazilian didn't even start the game, coming on to replace the injured Divock Origi in the first half.
Klopp opted to leave his first choice striker on the bench due to his international involvement earlier in the week, and he had a typical reaction when told Firmino had been named man-of-the-match by BT Sport.
Jurgen Klopp's face when @DesKellyBTS asks him about Roberto Firmino's performance 😁
His reaction to him being named MOTM is hilarious 🤣 pic.twitter.com/3ip7PT3F7N— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 14, 2019
We don't want to leave Bobby Firmino out, but from time to time we have to be sensible and do it. Especially after long trips from where ever they come from. That's why we did it.
Of course then he came on and it helped. Hopefully with Divock (Origi) it's not too serious, he twisted his ankle and played on but felt it a bit much.
