Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle United (1 Jan, 2024) Game Analysis

Mohamed Salah's second-half brace made up for a missed penalty as Liverpool began 2024 three points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 4-2 victory over Newcastle United on Monday at a rain-soaked Anfield .

Jurgen Klopp's side, who started the day tied on points with Aston Villa, now have 45 from 20 games. Villa have 42 points, while Manchester City, who have played a game less, are third with 40. Newcastle are ninth with 29.

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“It was a sensational game from my team,” Klopp told the BBC. “We started extremely lively. Great game. I loved so many aspects of the game, except the goals we conceded.

“Unbelievable atmosphere. In terms of counter-pressing, it was for the football schools. They have to watch that, take it and keep it. Everything was good.”

Salah, 31, who has 151 Premier League goals for Liverpool, changed shoes at half-time and it worked like a charm. His two goals took him level with City's Erling Haaland as top scorer with 14 goals. He is top for assists, tied with Villa's Ollie Watkins on eight.

Liverpool dominated the match and Salah, who had fired a first-half penalty straight at goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, finally broke the deadlock in the 49th minute, when Darwin Nunez sent the ball past the Egypt international for a close range finish.

Alexander Isak scored against the run of play with Newcastle's second shot of the match in the 54th minute, when he ran onto a through ball from Anthony Gordon and pushed it past Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson in the farthest corner.

However, Curtis Jones put the home side back in front in the 74th minute with a tap-in after a pass in front of Diogo Jota's goal, and Cody Gakpo scored four minutes later.

Sven Botman scored for Newcastle in the 81st minute, before Salah, playing his final match before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations, struck from the penalty spot after a foul on Jota to seal the victory in the 86th.

Liverpool were on the front foot against Newcastle almost from kick-off, and a superb performance from goalkeeper Dubravka kept the visitors in the game.

The hosts had 18 shots in the first half to Newcastle's just one, their most in the first half of a Premier League match since April 2016 against Everton.

“Crazy game. Both teams created chances,” Dubravka, 34, told Sky Sports. “I was there to try and help my teammates. Unfortunately, they created so many chances and were clinical.”

Early missed chances were met with groans from the Anfield crowd, including Trent Alexander-Arnold's strike following Salah's missed penalty which he lofted well over the crossbar.

Alexander-Arnold also had a long shot from a tight angle that hit the far post, but they eventually found the net after the break and the floodgates opened.

“It's a great result for us. The match was very intense and we managed to collect three points and now we are at the top of the table. We have to stay calm and win every match,” Salah told Sky Sports.

“The players spoke in the locker room [at half-time]. “We have to stay calm.” I missed the pen. I didn't want to leave for the national team with such a performance.”

Newcastle have now lost four of their last five league matches and will face champions Manchester City on January 13 following their FA Cup third round meeting with fierce rivals Sunderland on Saturday.

“A lot happened. An action-packed game. We're disappointed with the way we defended,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe said.

Howe argued that Salah's second penalty, awarded when Dubravka dove to stop Jota and the Liverpool player appeared to take two steps before tripping, should not have stood.

“You shouldn't give it away. Martin withdrew his hand. He took two steps before going down. For me, it's not a penalty. We feel uncomfortable.”