Liverpool continued their charge towards the Premier League title as a 2-0 win over Newcastle put them 13 points clear at the top of the table.

On an evening when second-placed Arsenal dropped points in a goalless draw at Nottingham Forest, Arne Slot's side took full advantage at Anfield.

Slot, beginning his two-game touchline ban, watched from the stands as Dominik Szoboszlai opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a scuffed strike past Nick Pope.

Alexis Mac Allister added to the jubilant atmosphere in the second half, with chants of "We're going to win the league" heard from the Kop after the Argentine swept Mohamed Salah's pass high into the left corner.

The visitors lacked a clinical edge up front. Alexander Isak, their top scorer this season, was absent because of a groin injury.

Callum Wilson deputised for the in-form Sweden striker, but he skewed a clear-cut effort wide in the first half after being handed his first league start of the campaign.

Newcastle sit sixth after finishing this game empty-handed - three points behind Manchester City in fourth and a guaranteed spot in next season's Champions League.

However, Eddie Howe's team can gain revenge against Liverpool when they meet again at Wembley in the final of the Carabao Cup on 16 March.

Midfield marvels move Liverpool one step closer

When the final whistle blew at the Etihad on Sunday, Szoboszlai dropped to the floor in exhaustion as Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over the reigning champions.

The Hungary international had been a powerhouse in midfield, running from deep to grab a goal and an assist as the Reds established a double-digit points gap between themselves and Arsenal.

Again, the midfielder proved crucial against Newcastle.

For the breakthrough goal, he cleverly held his charge into the box, wrong-footing Sandro Tonali before his low strike trickled through.

Szoboszlai, who went close to adding a second with a curling effort from the edge of the Newcastle area before the break, won more tackles than any other player as Liverpool kept their visitors' chances to a minimum.

Mac Allister added to the magic, starting and finishing the move for his goal, playing in Salah before finding space in the box to have a clear strike.

Salah had another strong game. He often waltzed past Lewis Hall and Dan Burn in the Newcastle box, but the Egypt star could not add to the scoring on this occasion.

He was forced to settle for an assist - his 42nd goal involvement in the league this season.

With only 10 games left to play, and with six of those fixtures at Anfield, Slot's team are fast approaching the finish line and edging closer to a 20th English title.