Newcastle beating Liverpool provides yet another twist in strange season

One by one the big boys of the Premier League have lined up to prove their title credentials and one by one they have fallen; so should anyone be surprised that Liverpool, suddenly vaulted into the spotlight by a flurry of impressive results under a new manager, should do exactly the same at St James’ Park?

In terms of momentum, positivity, energy, and belief this new-look Liverpool went to Newcastle as the division’s most buoyant side, flung into the title mix partly thanks to their own rapid improvement under Jurgen Klopp but also by the inadequacies of others.

With the exception of unfashionable Leicester City, astonishingly sat atop the table after nearly five months of the season, the other candidates have walked boldly towards the Holy Grail only to freeze in its glare or, in the case of Chelsea, collapse hopelessly in its wake.