Starting 2024 off with a win, Liverpool move three points clear at the top of the log, with Mohamed Salah scoring his 150th and 151st league goals for Liverpool as they beat Newcastle 4-2 in an action-packed Premier League contest at Anfield.
Amazingly, Salah missed a penalty in the first half, but had to changed his boots at half-time, and with those lucky boots contributed to 3 goals in the second half.
The Egyptian had a golden chance to score his landmark goal from the spot but saw his first-half penalty saved by Martin Dubravka.
Despite the first-half frustration following a goalless opening period, it didn’t take long for Liverpool to take the lead as Salah broke the deadlock in the 49th minute.
Alexander Isak quickly levelled the scores to silence Anfield, but Salah was involved again as Curtis Jones put Liverpool back in front.
Cody Gakpo struck a third to give Liverpool a two-goal cushion until Sven Botman was on target for Newcastle late on to keep the game alive.
However, Diogo Jota won a penalty late on, and this time Salah converted from the spot to give Liverpool a comfortable win, Eurosport reports.
The win moves Liverpool three points clear of Aston Villa at the top of the Premier League, and five points clear of both Arsenal and Manchester City.
Liverpool started the game fast and were frustrated early on.
Dubravka made three crucial saves in an action-packed first half as Salah missed a fourth penalty in his last ten attempts.
The Newcastle shot-stopper kept out Darwin Nunez twice, one from close range before denying his one-on-one effort.
He also kept out Salah from the spot, making a strong save to his left as the wait for Salah’s 150th Premier League goal went on.
Both teams had the ball in the net but were rightly flagged offside by the assistant referees, with both decisions consequently confirmed by VAR.
Luis Diaz had his close-range effort ruled out while Dan Burn thought he had put the Magpies ahead with a header at the back post.
Just like the weather at Anfield, it was raining goals in the second half with Salah finally sealing his landmark strike when he tapped in Nunez’s cross.
Newcastle were quickly back on level terms when Isak poked the ball past Alisson to silence the Kop End in a moment of lapsed concentration from the hosts.
Salah combined with substitute Diogo Jota before the latter swept the ball across goal for Jones to tap Liverpool back in front.
Fellow substitute Gakpo turned in Salah’s cross to give Liverpool a two-goal cushion, but they were again pegged back thanks to Botman’s late header.
Jota hit the deck in a controversial moment when he fell to the ground after taking the ball around Dubrakva, which led to Anthony Taylor pointing to the spot for a second time.
It gave Salah the chance to redeem himself as he swept the ball home for 4-2 and wrapped up the match for Liverpool – Salah’s last for a while as he travels to the Africa Cup of Nations.
Jurgen Klopp’s side are now three points clear of second-place Aston Villa, but perhaps more importantly, have moved five points ahead of expected title rivals Arsenal and Manchester City. Man City have a game in hand, but it was important for Liverpool to put down a marker against struggling Newcastle to get the new year off to a positive start, especially with Salah’s upcoming departure.
It remains to be seen how Liverpool and Klopp will set up in the Egyptian’s absence, who will likely miss the entirety of January, as well as some matches in February, but Liverpool should have enough quality to fill the superstar’s void temporarily.
Mo Salah, as Player of the Match, came up with the goods again for Liverpool who endured a frustrating night on Merseyside.
Until Salah’s opener, the Reds found it tough to get past Newcastle and goalkeeper Dubravka, who was excellent between the sticks despite conceding four but saving ten shots. He deserves a shout out.
Even after the first goal, Newcastle continued to keep Liverpool on their toes, but Salah was continuously involved as Liverpool kept drifting away from Newcastle, who couldn’t keep up the fight for much longer.
Salah was involved in all four goals, scoring twice, assisting another and playing Jota through to square the ball to Jones.
Liverpool will really miss his output when he is on national duty and it will be interesting to see how they cope without him.
