Arne Slot, Liverpool head coach, has said in his post-match comments that, the Reds could have netted more goals in the 4-1 comeback win over Newcastle United in the Premier League match at Anfield on Saturday 31 January, 2026.
The Dutch manager said, “we could have scored more goals” as his side conceded first before finding the net four (4) times to bag maximum points at home.
Thanks to Hugo Ekitike, former Eintracht Frankfurt forward, whose brace inspired the stunning comeback victory against stubborn Magpies on Saturday night.
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United took the lead in the 36th minute through English winger, Anthony Gordon, however, the home side jostled and levelled through Ekitike just five (5) minute after.
The Reds continued to press their visitors and it paid off as Ekitike struck the back of the net in the 43rd minute to place Liverpool in front with defender, Milos Kerkez’ assist.
Liverpool, who demolished Azerbaijan Premier League side, Qarabag FK, 6-0, on home turf in the Uefa Champions League 2025/26 final League Phase match on Wednesday, netted their third against the Magpies through Florian Wirtz, who provided for Ekitike’s first goal.
Wirtz, who joined Slot’s Reds from Bayer Leverkusen in 2025, converted Mohamed Salah’s assist to make it 3-1 for the hosts.
French defender, Ibrahima Konate, who told manager Slot ahead of the showdown, he wanted to “help the team against Newcastle”, sealed the win for Liverpool in the 3rd minute of additional time.
Konate had lost his father and suffered a “very difficult two weeks”, but, the Frenchman met with Slot and told his Dutch boss, he plans to return to action for the reigning English Kings “in the end of this week”.
According to Liverpool official website, at his post-victory press conference, Slot said:
On whether the last two victories are perfect to restore full morale:
“Yeah, of course. We are in an industry where it’s all about results. We have to improve in both boxes because in between we do so many things at such a high level. In the last two games, scoring 10 and only conceding one, I think I can safely say that that has been a big improvement. So yeah, pleased and happy that we have these two results.”
On whether signing Ekitike was a good decision:
“Yeah, but not only him, I think our other signings played a very good game as well.
“But for me, as a manager, I see throughout the last six or seven months improvement but lately a lot of improvement in terms of work-rate off the ball – not even work-rate but the ability to keep on going off the ball, especially with Hugo and Florian.”
On Konate’s return after the passing of his father:
“He had a very difficult two weeks and probably still has a difficult time but we spoke at the end of last week when he said, ‘I’m planning to be back in the end of this week.’
“When he saw all the problems we had defensively he called me early this week to say, ‘I want to be back to help the team against Newcastle,’ and he came back Wednesday, trained twice with us and today not only he scored a goal, but I think he played a great game.”
On the closeness between Ekitike and Wirtz:
“Of course, but I don’t think it comes to a surprise to anyone – definitely not to me because the more players play together, the more they can find an understanding.
“They can play more often together, we can play more often with the same team or same combinations and, as last season has shown, the more you can play together, the better it is.”
On Ekitike’s personality away from the pitch:
“Funny, happy, always brings a nice energy to the training ground, but also to the stadium because the fans love him as well. From the start, I think everybody could see how special he is, how fast he is.”
Results:
| Premier League 2025/26 – Saturday 32 January, 2026 |
| Brighton 1-1 Everton |
| Leeds United 0-4 Arsenal |
| Wolves 0-2 AFC Bournemouth |
| Chelsea 3-2 West Ham United |
| Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle United |
Next test for Liverpool and Newcastle United:
Liverpool will face Manchester City in their next Premier League match at Anfield on Sunday 8 February, 2026 at 17:30 (WAT), while, Newcastle United face Manchester City at Etihad Stadium in the Carabao Cup semi final on Wednesday 4 February, 2026 at 21:00 (WAT).
