The final Premier League match of 2020 ended with Liverpool three points clear at the top of the table – but only after Jürgen Klopp’s defending champions were made to look distinctly mortal by a wounded Newcastle United XI determined to prove a point.
After a barrage of recent criticism Steve Bruce had said he wanted to shut a few people up. On the eve of his 60th birthday, the home manager’s wish was granted thanks to a creditable draw which will doubtless have gone down well with his old friends at second-placed Manchester United.