Dramatic win over Newcastle keeps Liverpool in title contention
An unlikely hero emerged for Liverpool in a desperate time of need.
Staring at a 2-2 draw with Newcastle United that could have ended their bid for a first-ever Premier League title, substitute Divock Origi headed home the winner that lifted the Reds back into contention.
Origi, who replaced the injured Mohamed Salah, redirected fellow benchwarmer Xherdan Shaqiri's free-kick in the 86th minute to secure a hard-fought 3-2 victory at St. James' Park.
Liverpool are now two points ahead of rivals Manchester City with one match remaining.
However, City can still win the title with wins over Leicester City and Brighton & Hove Albion.
"Today it was just heart," manager Jurgen Klopp said. "What the boys put in here today was unbelievable. It's brilliant, so deserved. A tough game against a powerful, physically stronger team. We had to fight and the boys did that. I couldn't be more proud."
Virgil van Dijk put Liverpool on the right path early in the first half, guiding Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner kick past Newcastle 'keeper Martin Dubravka for the game's first goal.
Christian Atsu equalized from close range four minutes later, but Newcastle's slack defending cost them shortly after. Alexander-Arnold again whipped in a perfect cross to Salah, who had the time and space to net a volley into the far side of the net.
There was no let-up in the second half. Salomon Rondon put his laces through a loose ball in the 54th minute to level matters and again deflate the hopes of Liverpool supporters.
It seemed like their season was unraveling when Salah collided with Dubravka. The Egyptian star clutched his nose as he was stretched off, putting his status for next week's Champions League semifinal second leg in doubt.
Origi came on, but few could have predicted the role he would eventually play. Fabinho earned a debatable free-kick following an innocuous challenge from Matt Ritchie, and Origi put enough of a touch on it to send his teammates into rapture.
It was Liverpool's Premier League-leading 24th goal in the final 15 minutes of play this season.