Jurgen Klopp satisfied with Liverpool’s tough victory over Newcastle: ‘We did what needed to be done’

The Reds maintained their unbeaten run at Anfield and moved back into second place above Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur

Jurgen Klopp was pleased with his side's comfortable victory (Getty)

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp declared his team “did what we had to do” against Rafa Benitez’s defensive Newcastle, as the Reds maintained their unbeaten run at Anfield and moved back into second place above Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur.

Mohamed Salah scored for the seventh successive match to continue a remarkable scoring spree which is the best in Europe as Liverpool comfortably beat Newcastle 2-0.

The Egypt international's 32nd goal of the campaign - the same number the Magpies have managed in all competitions this season - was the 26th competitive club match he has scored in, eclipsing the likes of Paris St Germain's Edinson Cavani (24) and Barcelona's Lionel Messi (20) in the big five leagues.

Sadio Mane added Liverpool's second with his fifth goal in his last three matches, which came after the move of the night with a series of quick interchanges culminating in Roberto Firmino's brilliantly-threaded pass through a seemingly impenetrable forest of legs.

Klopp told BT Sport: “The boys did brilliant, we did what we had to do.

“Two wonderful goals, a few more possible, I think one world-class save from Loris (Karius and) not a lot to do apart from that, so I'm happy.”

Midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain added: “We're in a good moment. We spoke before the game about momentum - to create that you have to work hard.

“We know we've got quality to go and hurt teams. We have to keep that momentum going now.”

Benitez has a tough job on his hands (Getty)

Newcastle meanwhile drop down to 16^th after Swansea’s 4-1 win over West Ham.

They sit just two points above the relegation zone tomorrow with nine matches to play, and could fall to 17^th on Monday if Crystal Palace claim an unlikely victory over United.

Benitez said on BT Sport: “We have to do something more in attack, but it depends on the other team, they have to make mistakes.

“I think that the mentality, the work-rate, the team spirit is good. It's just these kind of games we know can be very difficult.

“We need to be sure (in) the next games we approach with the same intensity, the same mentality and a little more creativity in attack.

“I think it would be a massive achievement for everyone (to stay up) but we have to stay calm and think about the next game.”