Liverpool player ratings as Trent Alexander-Arnold stars but Daniel Sturridge struggles

Liverpool returned to the top of the Premier League table with a dramatic 3-2 win away to Newcastle United.

Christian Atsu and Salomon Rondon twice brought Newcastle level to cancel out goals from Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah, before Divock Origi fired a late winner to rescue the Reds' hopes of top spot.

The win put Liverpool two points ahead of Manchester City , but Pep Guardiola's men can go top with a win at home to Leicester on Monday.

There was bad news for Jurgen Klopp's men as Salah was taken off on a stretcher following an aerial collision with Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka.

Van Dijk got Liverpool off to the ideal start, heading home a corner after 13 minutes at St James' Park.

Atsu pounced to level after Trent Alexander-Arnold blocked Rondon's shot with his arm.

Poor marking in Newcastle's penalty area allowed an unmarked Salah to volley home his 22nd league goal of the season.

Less than 10 minutes into the second half, Rondon rifled home a left-footed half-volley after former Reds defender Javier Manquillo had helped to return it into the danger area.

But super sub Divock Origi - on for the injured Salah - was the hero as he beat Jamaal Lascelles in the air to head past Dubravka from a Xherdan Shakiri free-kick.

Liverpool then had to endure a nervy eight minutes of added time but held on for the win, bouncing back from their midweek defeat to Barcelona.

Divock Origi scored a late winner (Getty Images)

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Mohamed Salah was taken off on a stretcher (REUTERS)

Mohamed Salah taken off on a stretcher during Liverpool vs Newcastle 

Newcastle

Dubravka 6

Made a good save from Mane, but beaten twice

Manquillo 6

Probably a better defender than rival Yedlin, and stopped some crosses

Lascelles 5

Slipped as Van Dijk got behind him to head the opener.

Schar 6

Booked A good passer, and pinged the ball around, and has been a bargain signing

Salomon Rondon fires in Newcastle's second equaliser (PA)

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Dummett 6

Competitive and refused to give and inch as he tried to shackle Salah

Ritchie 7

Always at maximum tilt and left a boot on Salah

Hayden 6

A quieter game, but has been excellent all season anchoring the midfield

Ki 5

Preferred to Jonjo Shelvey for his hard work off the ball, and passed well

Newcastle United's Christian Atsu scores their first goal (Action Images via Reuters)

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Atsu 7

GOAL: In for the injured Miguel Almiron and showed why with a crisp close range finish

Perez 6

Hit the bar as he orchestrated some pressure in the first half

Rondon 7

GOAL: Hustle and bustle and grabbed his 11 of the season

Subs:

Muto (Schar 90+1)

Not used: Darlow, Shelvey, Diame, Muto, Kenedy, Fernandez,

Trent Alexander-Arnold created two of Liverpool's goals (Getty Images)

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Liverpool

Alisson 7

Beaten from close range in first half but recovered to handle well

Alexander-Arnold 8

Two assists, but lucky not to see red when he handled on the line, before the ref played on and Atsu scored

Lovren 6

Big man tussle with Rondon, but could stop the second equaliser

Van Dijk 7

GOAL: Towering header opened the scoring. He won't get an easier chance. Unmarked.

Virgil van Dijk gave Liverpool the ideal start (Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

 

Robertson 7

Cracking left back performance, pushing Newcastle's midfielders backwards

Wijnaldum 7

Ex United star has grown as a player since leaving Tyneside but didn't get a grip of the game

Henderson 7

Back in the side and added presence and legs to hold off the Geordies

Fabinho 7

Classy when cruising forward with the ball, but rattled by Newcastle's tenacity

Mane 6

Missed a first half chance, when Dubravka saved with his knee. Wasteful

Salah restored Liverpool's lead but was later taken off injured (NIGEL RODDIS/EPA-EFE/REX)

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Salah 7

GOAL: Caressed a right foot finish from Alexander-Arnold's cross. A beautiful touch

Sturridge 5

Got a first half ear bashing from boss Klopp, and missed a sitter second half

Subs:

Shaqiri (Wijnaldum 66) Added a bit of creativity and hit the crucial free-kick

Origi (Salah 73) Scored the vital winner that sent Liverpool top

Milner (Lovren 83) Helped Liverpool see out the game

Not used: Mignolet, Gomez, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Matip.

MoM: Alexander Arnold: Made two goals and was a lively presence

Ref: Andre Marriner