Salah scores twice as slick Liverpool see off Newcastle-ZoomTech News

Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool finally broke down a resilient Newcastle United to open up a three-point lead on the prime of the Premier League.

Salah missed the opening interval’s finest likelihood when he had a penalty saved however the ahead, who will now be part of Egypt on the Africa Cup of Nations, tapped residence a cross for the primary after which transformed a second spot-kick within the closing phases.

His first strike was his a hundred and fiftieth Premier League purpose for the Reds, nevertheless it was cancelled out 5 minutes later by Alexander Isak, who received in behind the hosts’ defence after good work by Anthony Gordon and curled residence.

Liverpool pressed laborious to go in entrance once more and finally Curtis Jones gave them the lead earlier than a scuffed Cody Gapko effort from an excellent Salah cross gave them respiratory house.

However again got here Newcastle when Sven Botman headed residence a nook to make it 3-2 earlier than Salah despatched Martin Dubravka – who was heroic all through – the flawed strategy to safe the factors.

Liverpool received their opening seven Premier League video games at Anfield this season however had been held to attracts by Manchester United and Arsenal of their earlier two residence video games.

They lead Aston Villa by three factors and have a five-point lead over Manchester Metropolis, who’ve a recreation in hand, and Arsenal.

Newcastle, who have been lacking 9 first-team gamers, stay ninth.

Slick Liverpool discover a method in chaotic match

From the primary whistle the match was dominated by Liverpool, who registered a league-high 18 pictures within the first half.

Trent Alexander-Arnold noticed an effort deflected vast and hit the publish with a depraved volley from an extremely tight angle, whereas Darwin Nunez’s flicked effort was stored out by Dubravka.

Diaz had a purpose disallowed as a result of Nunez strayed marginally offside within the build-up, earlier than Salah’s first penalty – powered to Dubravka’s left however too central – was saved.

It meant Salah had failed to attain 4 of his previous 10 penalties in all competitions however he put it behind him and was good within the second half.

Diaz and Nunez mixed to go away the Egypt ahead unmarked within the center to faucet residence the opener and relieve the rising stress inside Anfield.

The equaliser was a setback – particularly after Nunez was twice denied with good possibilities to make it 2-0 – however Liverpool’s high quality and complex ahead play finally discovered a method by way of Newcastle.

Jones tapped residence after a positive Salah cross discovered Diogo Jota, earlier than the Egyptian brilliantly crossed with the surface of his foot for Gakpo to dribble his effort over the road with the underside of his studs.

Salah’s second got here when Jota was tripped by Dubravka and he confirmed the energy of his mentality to ship the goalkeeper the flawed method and log out for what could possibly be doubtlessly six weeks together with his nation.

The victory means Liverpool are unbeaten in 22 video games at Anfield, and have now solely misplaced one among their previous 52 residence video games within the Premier League.

“It was a sensational recreation from my crew,” mentioned Klopp. “We began extraordinarily vigorous. Everybody noticed Dubravka’s efficiency, and we ourselves made certain the rating did not get too clear.

“Tremendous recreation. I beloved so many features of the sport, bar the objectives we conceded. Counter-pressing-wise, it was for soccer faculties. They’ve to look at that, take it and maintain it. It was all the things good.”

Damage-ravaged Newcastle battle however lack choices

Newcastle supervisor Eddie Howe has needed to cope with a torrid run of accidents in the course of the busiest a part of the season and he got here into this recreation with membership captain Kieran Trippier additionally absent with a groin harm.

They weathered the early storm properly and grew into the sport, with Dan Burn’s header disallowed as a result of Isak was inches offside earlier within the transfer.

The Sweden striker’s end for the equaliser was a second of medical proficiency and got here from their first shot on course – and solely their second total within the recreation.

Dubravka was in impressed kind, utilizing all components of his physique to maintain Liverpool out, however he may do little or no about Jones and Gapko’s objectives.

These objectives got here across the time a supervisor could have been pondering of turning to his bench for recent legs, so Howe might be lamenting the dearth of choices out there to him.

Whereas Newcastle can level to their accidents, Howe may even know his aspect have solely earned 5 factors away from St James’ Park thus far this season and have solely stored one clear sheet of their previous 19 away video games.

They play simply three video games in January – which could possibly be 4 in the event that they beat native rivals Sunderland within the FA Cup third spherical on Saturday – and Howe will hope the winter break permits him to get gamers match as they appear to qualify for Europe once more.

“We’re battling to get our greatest ranges again,” Howe advised BBC Sport. “The trouble and willpower was there. So long as we proceed to see that we’ll be positive.

“An important factor is we’re combating. We’re lacking a variety of gamers, we have had a variety of powerful fixtures in a congested December.”