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Liverpool Echo
Liverpool Echo
Sport
Ian Doyle

Steve Bruce's reaction to Liverpool chants, Robertson becomes Messi and other moments missed vs Newcastle

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table with an impressive win at home to Newcastle United on Saturday.

After Jetro Willems put the visitors ahead, Sadio Mane's brace and a Mohamed Salah strike earned the Reds a 3-1 triumph.

The result meant Jurgen Klopp's side clinched a 14th successive league win and extended their unbeaten home league run to 43 games.

But there was plenty that went unnoticed or under the radar during the 90 minutes at Anfield.

Van Dijk becomes the Terminator

There's very little that ruffles Virgil van Dijk. Not even powerful shots to the face.

Fabian Schar discovered as much when attempting a piledriver from 25 yards that hit the stationary Dutchman on the head from close range.

Would Van Dijk stumble? Would he fall to the ground in pain? Nope.

A brief shake of the head and a check his hair was still in place, and Van Dijk was back on his way. He can't be human, surely.

Blood Red: Klopp doesn't prioritise either the Premier League or Champions League

Robertson becomes Messi

Andy Robertson runs with the ball during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Newcastle United (Photo by Jan Kruger/Getty Images)

Accepting the ball on the wing, he sized up the opponent, knocked the ball beyond the defender, raced around him and burst forward before winning the free-kick.

It was typical Lionel Messi. Except it wasn't the Barcelona man.

It was Andy Robertson, who drew huge cheers from the Anfield crowd with a trademark lung-busting effort beyond Newcastle defender Emil Krafth on a day in which he impressed throughout.

Clearly when Robbo ruffled the hair of Messi in May, he was infused by some of his greatness. Or was it the other way around?

Shelvey tries the impossible

Jonjo Shelvey of Newcastle United claps the Liverpool fans in the Kop (Serena Taylor/Newcastle United via Getty Images)

Liverpool fans are usually welcoming to former players making a return to Anfield, especially if their name isn't El Hadji Diouf.

Such was the case with Jonjo Shelvey, who was given warm applause as he went to take a corner at the Kop end in the second half.

Shelvey responded in kind. And it was significantly better than when the midfielder before the break attempted a shot from just inside his own half.

It almost went out for a throw-in.

Bruce gets a big head

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp shakes hands with Newcastle United counterpart Steve Bruce (Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)

Steve Bruce, by his own admission, has a somewhat oversized bonce.

In fact, it's pretty difficult not to notice the fact. And the Kop delight in reminding the former Manchester United man of this particular physical attribute on his every visit.

They were at it again during the closing stages as Liverpool sauntered to another victory over his Newcastle United.

Bruce, standing on the touchline, acknowledged the chant. Fair play.

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