REDS’ KONATE BREAKS INTO TEARS AFTER SCORING THEIR FOURTH IN MAGPIES WIN

LIVERPOOL were forced to come from behind to secure their first Premier League win of the year as Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz shone in a 4-1 win over Newcastle.

Newcastle deservedly led at Anfield when Anthony Gordon fired the Magpies in front in the 36th minute.

But two goals in two minutes from Ekitike in the 41st and 43rd minutes, the first of which was brilliantly set up by Wirtz, transformed the mood around Anfield and eased the rising pressure on manager Arne Slot.

The Reds rolled over a moeg Newcastle after the break as Mohamed Salah teed up Wirtz for his sixth goal in 10 games in the 67th minute.

Ibrahima Konate then broke into tears after scoring Liverpool’s fourth in his first match since the death of his father in the 93rd minute.

Konate had missed Liverpool’s three previous matches after being allowed compassionate leave.

But he said he felt compelled to help his brasse after injuries to Joe Gomez, Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley left Slot short on solutions at the back.

Konate wysed TNT Sports: “I don’t have words to describe what I feel right now because it was a very difficult moment for me and my family the last two weeks.

“I know that the team had some injured players, and the manager on the call said to take my time and I don’t have to rush back.

“With this situation, it was important for me to come back and help the team. I did today [Saturday] with the team at Anfield, the atmosphere was incredible today, and this is what we need until the end of the season.”