Mohamed Salah‘s second-half brace made up for a missed penalty as Liverpool kicked off 2024 three factors clear atop the Premier League standings with a 4-2 victory over Newcastle United at a rain-drenched Anfield on Monday.
Jurgen Klopp’s workforce, who started the day stage with Aston Villa on factors, now have 45 from 20 video games. Villa have 42 factors, whereas Manchester City, who’ve performed one fewer recreation, are third on 40. Newcastle are ninth on 29.
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“It was a sensational recreation from my workforce,” Klopp informed BBC. “We began extraordinarily full of life. Tremendous recreation. I liked so many facets of the sport bar the targets we conceded.
“Unbelievable ambiance. Counter-pressing clever it was for soccer faculties. They’ve to observe that, take it and hold it. It was the whole lot good.”
The 31-year-old Salah, who has 151 Premier League targets for Liverpool, modified his boots at half-time and it labored like a appeal. His two targets moved him even with Metropolis’s Erling Haaland as joint high scorers with 14 targets. He’s the joint high on assists, stage with Villa’s Ollie Watkins on eight.
Liverpool dominated the sport, and Salah, who had fired a first-half penalty straight at goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, lastly broke the impasse within the forty ninth minute, when Darwin Nunez minimize the ball throughout to the Egypt worldwide for a close-range end.
Alexander Isak scored in opposition to the run of play with Newcastle’s second shot of the sport within the 54th minute, when he ran onto a by ball from Anthony Gordon and knocked it previous Liverpool keeper Alisson into the far nook.
Nonetheless, Curtis Jones put the house facet again in entrance within the 74th minute with a tap-in after a go throughout objective from Diogo Jota, and Cody Gakpo scored 4 minutes later.
Sven Botman pulled one again for Newcastle within the 81st minute, earlier than Salah, who was taking part in his final recreation earlier than departing for the Africa Cup of Nations, struck from the penalty spot after Jota had been fouled to seal the win within the 86th.
Liverpool have been on the entrance foot in opposition to Newcastle nearly from kickoff, and an outstanding show by keeper Dubravka stored the guests within the recreation.
The hosts had 18 pictures within the first half to Newcastle’s one, their most within the first half of a Premier League recreation since April 2016 in opposition to Everton.
“Loopy match. Each side created possibilities,” Dubravka, 34, informed Sky Sports activities. “I used to be there to attempt to assist my teammates. Sadly, they created so many possibilities and have been medical.”
Missed early possibilities have been met by groans from the Anfield crowd, together with Trent Alexander-Arnold’s strike following Salah’s missed penalty that he launched effectively over the crossbar.
Alexander-Arnold additionally had an extended shot from a decent angle hit the far put up, however they lastly discovered the web after the break and the floodgates opened.
“It is a terrific consequence for us. The sport was very intense and we managed to select up three factors and now we’re high of the desk. We have to keep calm and win each recreation,” Salah informed Sky Sports activities.
“The gamers spoke within the dressing room [at half-time]. ‘We’ve got to remain calm.’ I missed the pen. I did not wish to depart for the nationwide workforce with that efficiency.”
Newcastle have now misplaced 4 of their final 5 league matches and face champions Manchester Metropolis on Jan. 13 after their FA Cup third spherical assembly with fierce rivals Sunderland on Saturday.
“So much occurred. Motion-packed recreation. We’re dissatisfied with the way in which we defended,” Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe mentioned.
Howe argued Salah’s second penalty, awarded when Dubravka dove in to cease Jota and the Liverpool participant appeared to take two steps earlier than stumbling, shouldn’t have stood.
“It should not be given. Martin has pulled his hand away. He is had two steps earlier than taking place. For me it is not a penalty. We really feel arduous finished by.”