Saturday was a good day for Liverpool.
They entered the game against Newcastle knowing that a win would put them right back in the top four race, although a victory at St James' Park would be no easy task. While Eddie Howe's side have displayed some patchy form in recent times, they were undefeated at home in the league this season.
In fact, Newcastle had lost only one game in the Premier League this season. That came at Anfield back in August, when a stoppage time Fabio Carvalho goal secured the three points for the hosts. There was some bad blood between the sides in the aftermath of that game, something that added a bit of excitement to the buildup to yesterday's fixture.
Once the game did kick off, it was essentially decided inside the opening half hour. Liverpool took the lead in the tenth minute, with Darwin Nunez showing fantastic composure to finish after a brilliant assist from Trent Alexander-Arnold.
Cody Gakpo would double the lead a few minutes later, while Nick Pope's bizarre red card soon after all but ended the game as a contest.
The two goalscorers would have been especially pleasing for Liverpool fans. Cody Gakpo has now scored in his last two games after what been an inconspicuous start to life at Anfield, while Darwin Nunez also got the strike that his recent form has deserved.
However, not all seemed too excited by the Uruguayan's exploits.
Liverpool fans call out Martin Tyler over Darwin Nunez commentary
For quite some time, many Liverpool fans have felt that Martin Tyler has had some sort of agenda against their team. The commentator has been a staple of Sky Sports' Premier League coverage for decades, although some would say he is no longer at his peak in terms of performance.
The 77-year old certainly didn't get overexcited by Liverpool's opening goal yesterday, speaking in a tone which suggested that he felt Darwin Nunez's goal would be disallowed.
NUNEZ fires Liverpool in front! 🔴 pic.twitter.com/Rf1IhYIxvJ
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) February 18, 2023
During the VAR check that followed, Tyler continued to suggest that the goal could be ruled out despite there being little evidence that any infringement had occurred.
The goal would stand, with Jurgen Klopp's going on to win the game in a fairly comfortable fashion despite a spirited display from the hosts.
Many Liverpool fans took to social media to complain about what they felt was the latest example of Martin Tyler's bias against their team, both for the first goal and other moments throughout the game.
“Nunez thinks he’s scored” - fuck me Martin Tyler is stealing a living pic.twitter.com/w1Oq1OVJTP
— Scouse African® 🔴 (@AcerbicRed) February 19, 2023
He was so desperately hoping that would be disallowed
— Craig (@CraigYB1989) February 19, 2023
You can hear the hope in his voice when he says, “is this handball here”
— Charlie Kelly’s son (@Brian58083682) February 19, 2023
Martin Tyler absolutely gutted with that football goal. Fraud of a commentator.
— Anfield Online (@anfieldonline) February 18, 2023
This commentary is so unbelievably bad, I’d didn’t even realise we’d scored from how unenthusiastic Martín Tyler was https://t.co/ycTCo3v4Bz
— j (@SPT_JT) February 18, 2023
You can tell Martin Tyler is absolutely fuming and I absolutely love it.
— - (@AnfieldRd96) February 18, 2023
Martin Tyler, murdering football on a weekly basis
— Carl Lewis (@carl_lewis_91) February 18, 2023
Martin Tyler sounds like his dog has just died...
— Shaun (@LfcShaunjudge) February 18, 2023
Did Martin Tyler actually just say that “Almiron can be put in the same bracket as Mo Salah”?!?!?
What’s the fucking bracket Martin? “Footballers”?— Andy Wright (@andrewwright2) February 18, 2023
Martin Tyler just proclaimed that Mo Salah and Miguel Almirón are “similar players”. If by that he means they both play professional football then he’s right. But that’s where the comparisons end.
— Simon Clancy (@SiClancy) February 18, 2023
I know it's said every week but come on Martin Tyler.
The lack of enthusiasm for three moments of brilliance in the build-up and scoring of this goal, is baffling 🙄 #LFC https://t.co/lmlGpogk0E— Empire of the Kop (@empireofthekop) February 18, 2023
Liverpool now sit six points behind Newcastle, also having a game in hand on their fourth-placed side.
With a long way still to go in the season, they will be quietly confident that they can close that gap in the weeks and months ahead. If they can maintain the level of form they showed over the last two games, you wouldn't bet against them doing so.
SEE ALSO: Pundits Couldn't Believe It But Seamus Coleman Wonder Goal Was No Fluke
