Liverpool moved three factors clear within the Premier League title race after beating Newcastle 4-2 in a pulsating sport they dominated however solely sealed late on.
Jurgen Klopp’s relentless facet posted 34 photographs within the match to a backdrop of seven.27 of anticipated targets – probably the most created by one facet in a Premier League sport since Opta began recording the information in 2010.
But it surely was by no means an easy night as Newcastle have been stage at 1-1 with 16 minutes to play after Alexander Isak had cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s opener.
Salah had already missed a first-half penalty by that time whereas Darwin Nunez wasted two large possibilities from his eight photographs at aim as Liverpool inexplicably did not edge in entrance.
Nonetheless, Curtis Jones lastly put the hosts in entrance earlier than Cody Gakpo doubled the cushion moments later.
In some way, regardless of the one-sided nature of the stats, Newcastle obtained inside one aim when Sven Botman headed dwelling however Salah scored from the penalty spot after Diogo Jota controversially went down with the aim gaping.
It was an evening the place Salah delivered in his final involvement earlier than the African Cup of Nations as Klopp’s facet prolonged their benefit on the prime of the desk. Liverpool begin 2024 with a bang. They’re those to catch.
Salah retains his nerve to sign Liverpool’s title intent…
Salah ought to have put his facet in entrance when Luis Diaz was introduced down by Botman however his fourth miss in his final 10 spot-kicks left Liverpool goalless regardless of a dominant first half. Trent Alexander-Arnold one way or the other additionally managed to spoon the rebound over the crossbar from eight yards.
Martin Dubravka, within the facet resulting from Nick Pope’s long-term damage, had a type of nights the place he was repelling all the things Liverpool threw at him, particularly from Nunez. He was responsible of an enormous miss from Alexander-Arnold’s lengthy go from inside his personal penalty space, taking pictures straight at Dubravka earlier than additionally lacking the rebound.
Dan Burn additionally had a aim dominated out for offside, however it was a uncommon assault for the guests, who solely had one shot within the first half.
Nunez launched a counter-attack after half time and this time selected the proper choice in squaring for Salah to open the scoring. Dubravka then denied Nunez from point-blank vary and a volley on the run, and even Isak’s well-taken breakaway aim with their first effort because the eighth minute did not halt the onslaught.
Nunez departed for Gakpo and Jota and Liverpool improved for the modifications as they hunted the profitable aim.
It was Jones that was to not be denied, tapping dwelling after Jota had squared from Salah’s go. There was to be no manner again for Newcastle when Gakpo bundled dwelling Salah’s cross and though Botman headed in from a nook, Liverpool had another aim up their sleeve. It got here when Jota raced via and was deemed to be introduced down by Dubravka and Salah was in a position to log off in model from the spot.
It moved Liverpool three factors away from second-placed Aston Villa and at the moment out of the attain of Manchester Metropolis, who at the moment are 5 behind with a sport in hand.
Opta stats: Sensational Salah
- Salah has scored 150 Premier League targets for Liverpool, changing into simply the fifth participant to succeed in this milestone for a single membership within the competitors after Harry Kane for Tottenham (213), Sergio Agüero for Man Metropolis (184), Wayne Rooney for Man Utd (183) and Thierry Henry for Arsenal (175).
- Liverpool at the moment are unbeaten in 28 consecutive dwelling Premier League video games in opposition to Newcastle (W23 D5), the joint longest dwelling unbeaten run by a facet in opposition to a particular opponent within the competitors’s historical past (Chelsea vs Everton, additionally an ongoing run of 28).
- Newcastle have misplaced 5 of their final six Premier League video games (W1), struggling 5 successive away defeats for the primary time since January 2021.
What’s subsequent?
Liverpool head south to face Arsenal within the FA Cup third spherical on Sunday January 7; kick-off 4.30pm.
Newcastle journey to rivals Sunderland within the FA Cup third spherical on Saturday January 6; kick-off 12.45pm.