NEWCASTLE, England -- Liverpool ended 2020 just as they started it, at the top of the Premier League and in pole position to end the season as champions, but Wednesday's 0-0 draw against Newcastle United at St James' Park proved that not everything is the same as it was 12 months ago.
The first goalless stalemate between these two clubs since 1974 highlighted the key difference between the Liverpool of today and the one which sprinted clear of the chasing pack in the first half last season. A year ago, Liverpool racked up the points by finding the killer touch in tight games and winning when the margins were narrow.