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Ibrahima Konate struggled to hold back the tears after netting an emotional goal at the Kop End for Liverpool just days after his father passed away. The defender returned to the Liverpool starting XI following the tragic incident and put on a stellar showing at the heart of the Reds' defence.

But it was in the final moments of the match when Konate swept home - with the help of a slight deflection - to net his first goal at Anfield since the 2021/22 season. Having wheeled away in celebration, Konate was quickly overcome by emotion and was seen in tears after scoring.

Konate fronted up and spoke to TNT Sports after the 4-1 victory, saying: "For sure I am very happy. 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, but this is part of life. It is hard to accept that and we don't have the choice.

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

Konate and Liverpool had started on the backfoot against Newcastle, with Merseysider Anthony Gordon firing Newcastle ahead midway through the first half. Despite being second best for most of the opening 45 minutes, the home side did find themselves in front at the break, with Hugo Ekitike bagging twice in quick succession to flip the game on its head.

The first of Ekitike's brace came after a clever thinking in the box from Florian Wirtz, who himself scored the Anfield outfit's third after the restart. It's Wirtz's sixth goal in 10 matches across all competitions for the ex-Bayer Leverkusen playmaker, who is certainly starting to settle at his new club following a big-money move in the summer.

Wirtz, who was given the Man of the Match award by TNT Sports, said after the match: "I am very happy. As I said before the game I always love to score and assist and help the team to win. I want to continue like that because it makes you happy and gives you more confidence. When you can help the team win it is always good."

On playing with Ekitike: "He is just unbelievable. You can see him today again two fantastic goals, and it is just fun to play with him on the pitch. Happy I could assist him again today after many assists from him to me."