The first encounter with Newcastle United last season, a frustrating goalless draw last December, was a sign matters would shortly unravel for Liverpool.
And the nagging suspicion of an unwanted repeat was almost tangible in the Anfield air as Jurgen Klopp’s side struggled to shake off the plucky if limited visitors here.
Then came the moment.
After a foul by a tiring Newcastle, substitute Roberto Firmino rolled the ball to Trent Alexander-Arnold 25 yards out.
PLAYER RATINGS: Jordan Henderson superb and six others good against Newcastle United
READ MORE: Gary Lineker makes Mohamed Salah claim after what he spotted from Liverpool star
A blink of an eye later, the ball was bulging the top corner of Martin Dubravka’s goal.
Cue a mixture of ecstasy and relief on an evening when the renewed impact of coronavirus and talk of lockdown, positives tests and returning behind closed doors dominated thoughts.
It made for a curious atmosphere, the home fans, while present in number, not at full voice, a mood mirrored in a Liverpool performance that rarely cranked out of second gear.
However, even without Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Curtis Jones – the trio returning suspected positive coronavirus tests – the Reds had more than enough to retain pace with Manchester City and remain just a point off the Premier League summit on a night when fellow title rivals Chelsea again faltered.
Rate the Liverpool players for their performance in the win over Newcastle United:
As against Wolverhampton Wanderers and Aston Villa, Klopp's side chiselled out the three points as much through hard graft as pure quality.
Newcastle, though, would argue they had a helping hand from referee Mike Dean, not least on 21 minutes when, after Fabian Schar and Isaac Hayden collided attempting to defend a corner, the latter remained on the deck and played Diogo Jota onside to level at the second attempt.
“Mike Dean, it’s all about you,” sang the irate Newcastle fans, along with more other X-rated ditties.
And while the official also later ran across the line of sight of Dubravka for Liverpool’s third, there was nothing stopping Alexander-Arnold’s strike.
The Reds have now scored in 32 successive games in all competitions, beating the previous club record of 31 set almost 64 years ago.
Okay, it wasn’t the demolition City put on in dismissing Leeds United earlier in the week.
But, as Chelsea discovered in their home draw to Everton, it’s just about the points at this stage of the season. Liverpool, eight wins in a row, keep on going.
