Liverpool vs Newcastle LIVE: Premier League result and reaction as Mo Salah fires Reds clear at top of table
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle: Jurgen Klopp’s men extended their lead at the top of the table after cracker at Anfield
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Liverpool move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table after triumphing in a brilliantly contest with Newcastle at Anfield.
A first-half of wasted chances for the hosts was epitomised by Mo Salah’s penalty kick. Stepping up after Luis Diaz had been brought down in the box he drilled the shot straight at Martin Dubravka who palmed it away. Two disallowed goals, one at either end, saw the teams head into the break all square as Jurgen Klopp pondered how to get the best out of his team.
The ignition came from Salah. He tapped them in front then supplied a couple of fine passes into the box to set up the goals from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo. Alexander Isak have briefly equalised for Newcastle and Sven Botman nodded home a consolation but Salah had the last word.
Another chance from the spot saw him send the Newcastle goalkeeper the wrong way and give Liverpool a fourth to send them clear of second placed Aston Villa and start the new year with a win.
Relive all the action from Anfield below, plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Liverpool’s depth could be the title race’s deciding factor as substitutes earn victory over Newcastle
If titles are won from the bench, it was a very auspicious night for Jurgen Klopp. As Liverpool established a three-point lead at the Premier League summit, they could thank the men who proved the definition of impact subs and the manager who made the decisive changes. Diogo Jota had dual roles in the goal that put Liverpool ahead and then won the penalty that clinched victory. Cody Gakpo, who had been denied a goal a few minutes after his arrival with a sweet strike, scored an altogether scruffier goal.
As Liverpool and Newcastle, whose meetings contain a famous 4-3, shared an action-packed 4-2, the six goals only formed part of the drama. If it conformed to a theme of Liverpool’s season – they rarely do things the easy way – the strength in depth they demonstrated could prove handy as Mohamed Salah took his leave for the African Cup of Nations in extraordinary fashion.
His was both a mixed night and a triumphant one. He scored twice, taking his tally to 19 goals for the season, registered another assist, had a part in the remaining goal and yet also missed a penalty. That Salah was rampant showed one of his best qualities. It was one Liverpool shared. They were irrepressible, chalking up 34 shots. Persistence eventually paid off: Newcastle were level for 69 of the first 74 minutes, Liverpool belatedly taking and then soon losing a lead but, if a repeat of the Manchester United game – 34 shots and no goals – was threatened, it then became a very different occasion.
Liverpool’s depth could be the deciding factor in title race after win over Newcastle
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle: Mohamed Salah scored twice on a mixed night with help from Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota off the bench
FT Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
Newcastle United have failed to win in their last 28 Premier League away games against Liverpool. That’s the joint worst run in the league’s history at an opponent, level with Everton against Chelsea. Both runs started in 1995.
FT Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
Liverpool are unbeaten in all 10 Premier League games in which Mohamed Salah did not appear (won seven, drawn three), since he joined the Reds in 2017-18.
FT Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
Mohamed Salah’s double makes him the joint top scorer in this season’s Premier League, alongside Erling Haaland on 14 goals.
Salah is joint top on assists too, level with Ollie Watkins on eight.
Full-time! Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
90+7 mins: There goes the whistle! Liverpool move clear at the top of the table as Mo Salah signs off in style. He’s going on international duty for the next month and will be huge miss of the Reds.
Will they still be on top when he gets back?
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
90+3 mins: Close!
Liverpool burst forward on the counter-attack which sees Mo Salah fed into the right side of the pitch. He carries the ball into the box, cuts inside then shoots only to see his effort blocked.
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
90 mins: Seven minutes of added time to play at Anfield.
GOAL! Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle (Salah, 86’)⚽️
86 mins: Mo Salah, having missed a penalty in the first half, steps up again and opens up the far side of the goal. Martin Dubravka dives the wrong way and Salah slots it home to put Liverpool two goals ahead once more.
Penalty! Liverpool 3-2 Newcastle
84 mins: Newcastle give away another spot kick.
Diogo Jota is played into the box and takes the ball around the goalkeeper who sprawls for the ball. He clips Jota who takes a couple more steps before falling over.
The referee points to the spot and VAR doesn’t overturn the decision.
GOAL! Liverpool 3-2 Newcastle (Botman, 81’)⚽️
81 mins: Newcastle score!
This time it comes from a set piece and defender Sven Botman breaks away from Diogo Jota before leaping at the ball as it is whipped in from a corner.
He meets it in the air and nods it past Alisson to bring Newcastle back within one of the Reds.
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