Liverpool opened its finishing floodgates in a 4-2 win over Newcastle United at Anfield on Monday, stretching its Premier League unbeaten streak to 13 games and going alone atop the table.
Mohamed Salah made amends for a saved early penalty by scoring twice and assisting another goal, bidding a prolific adieu to Liverpool as he leaves for the Africa Cup of Nations. Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo also scored in the win, boosting the Reds three points clear of Aston Villa on a PL-best 45 points.
WATCH LIVERPOOL v NEWCASTLE FULL MATCH REPLAY STREAM
Newcastle is reeling despite goals from Alexander Isak and Sven Botman, losers of five out of six heading into an FA Cup derby with Sunderland at the Stadium of Light.
The Magpies are injury-hit but were dominated for much of this match, exiting the game in ninth place with 29 points. That’s 11 points off the top-four and Eddie Howe’s men have been eliminated European football and the League Cup.
Mohamed Salah believes Liverpool can win title, but can they navigate his absence?
The Egyptian is one of the very best players in the world and is having one of his best seasons. Is it crazy to say it could be his best? We don’t think so.
And Mohamed Salah is one of the few people not afraid to think in the big picture, saying the Premier League leaders might just have what it takes to mount another Premier League title charge.
“We believe a lot,” Salah said after the win. “We need to work hard and express ourselves on the field. If we manage to do that and work hard then we can keep winning.”
But can they do it without him for about a month? Egypt will be expected to make a deep run at the Africa Cup of Nations, with the final not until February 11. The Reds have three cup matches in that time but also Premier League outings against Bournemouth, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Burnley.
Salah’s 22 goal contributions — 14 goals, eight assists — are four more than anyone else in the Premier League. Liverpool have terrific playmakers but his absence will tax the Reds as they look to hold off all comers.
Dubravka saves Newcastle from humiliation
The Magpies were poor, perhaps still lagging from Eddie Howe’s risky lack of rotation during an insane injury run earlier this season.
Martin Dubravka is no longer the most overlooked star goalkeeper in the Premier League, but Nick Pope’s veteran backup still has a showstopping night in his locker.
Dubravka faced an insane 6.41 xG total, making 10 saves to keep Newcastle in the game before the dam broke at Anfield. The Magpies even conceded two penalties, and Dubravka stopped one.
This could’ve been a mess. Or messier, at least.
What’s next?
Liverpool goes to Arsenal for a FA Cup third-round match at 11:30am ET Sunday, then hosts Fulham in the first leg of a League Cup semifinal tie on January 10.
Newcastle goes to Sunderland early Saturday in the FA Cup, then hosts Manchester City on Sunday, January 13.
Liverpool vs Newcastle final score: 4-2 — Live updates by Nick Mendola
Goal: Salah (49', pen 86'), Isak (54'), Jones (74'), Gakpo (78'), Botman (81')
Liverpool vs Newcastle player ratings
(from fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Newcastle player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Liverpool vs Newcastle player ratings (from fotmob.com)
Mohamed Salah penalty goal (video)
Diogo Jota hits the deck after skipping past Martin Dubravka.
Salah buries his chance this time. Goodnight.
Sven Botman goal (video)
Kieran Trippier’s out of the lineup, so Sean Longstaff whips in a corner and it delivers a second goal to Newcastle.
Big Sven Botman thuds a header past a marooned and helpless Alisson. The Magpies have about 10 minutes to get a stunning point.
Cody Gakpo goal (video)
Even the mistakes are going in, as Mohamed Salah’s sensational inward-spun pass bounds off Gakpo and past Dubravka.
A VAR review looks tight but Gakpo’s just onside. 3-1, and richly-deserved.
Curtis Jones goal (video)
Even Dubravka can’t stop a 2v1 from this close.
Diogo Jota gets some Salah playmaking and uses a simple square ball to solve the Newcastle keeper, Jones charging into the six to tap home.
Liverpool back on top.
Dubravka continues to astonish
Newcastle’s defenders are making some big blocks, too, but it’s their Slovakian goalkeeper who is absolutely shining at Anfield.
Dubravka has 10 saves and has faced 3.92 xG through 70 minutes of play.
Alexander Isak goal (video)
Say you saw this one coming and we’ll brand you dishonest.
Anthony Gordon springs Alexander Isak toward the 18, as the Swede has the better of Virgil van Dijk.
Isak has to beat Alisson and does so with a fine finish over the keeper’s shoulder and inside the far post.
Out of nothing, it’s 1-1.
Mohamed Salah goal (video)
Dominik Szoboszlai springs a rush and gets the ball wide to Luis Diaz.
The Colombian cuts in from the left and carries for a bit before sending it low to Darwin Nunez on the right.
Nunez plays it centrally to a quick Mohamed Salah and the Egyptian rarely misses from there.
1-0 to the hosts at a happy Anfield.
Liverpool vs Newcastle halftime analysis: 0-0
It’s rain-drenched and nasty in multiple ways, with three yellow cards not feeling adequate for the occasion (Lewis Miley and Bruno Guimaraes for Newcastle, Luis Diaz for Liverpool).
The Reds are throttling the Magpies, with 2.57-0.06 xG and 18-1 shot attempts yet to deliver a goal.
Martin Dubravka has five saves including the penalty stop on Mohamed Salah. The left side of the Magpies defense is struggling with Salah, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Dominik Szoboszlai.
Rare Newcastle break defied by Virgil van Dijk
The Magpies finally get a little bit of the ball, and a quick 1-2 on the left side springs a chance.
Virgil van Dijk steps in front of an in-tight shot before it can get to Alisson, and the Reds deal with the ensuing corner.
Still scoreless.
Mohamed Salah penalty saved by Martin Dubravka
Luis Diaz is a minute removed from a goal being taken off the board for a razor-thin Darwin Nunez offside when he wins a penalty off the Magpies.
Mohamed Salah goes to the spot and... he’s saved by Martin Dubravka with a pretty central effort.
Trent Alexander-Arnold cannot get over the bouncing rebound and slashes it clear of the frame.
All Liverpool early
The hosts are all over the visitors, and Newcastle has already needed several blocks, clearances, and saves to keep this scoreless.
Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah are lively, and Trent Alexander-Arnold is pulling some strings.
It’s difficult to envision the Magpies doing this for anywhere near 45 minutes, let alone 90.
How to watch Liverpool vs Newcastle live, stream link and start time
Kick off: 3pm ET, Monday (January 1)
TV Channel: USA Network
Online: Stream via NBC.com
Liverpool lineup
⭐ TEAM NEWS ⭐
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) January 1, 2024
Here’s how we line up for #LIVNEW tonight 🔴
Newcastle lineup
HOWAY NEWCASTLE! ✊#LIVNEW // #NUFC pic.twitter.com/HxHByRVx1o
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) January 1, 2024
Liverpool focus, team news
Klopp has had plenty of injury issues to deal with but Liverpool boast the best defensive record in the Premier League this season with just 16 goals conceded. Salah is heading away to AFCON soon so Klopp needs the likes of Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez, Luis Diaz and Harvey Elliott to step up in January.
OUT: Joel Matip (torn ACL - out for season), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (groin), Alexis Mac Allister (knee), Kostas Tsimikas (shoulder)
Newcastle focus, team news
Howe will likely shuffle his pack after two very bad performances back-to-back and it seems likely Newcastle will try to make some big moves in January to rejuvenate their squad and their season. Goalkeeper and center forward are two areas where they need reinforcements and it will be intriguing to see what kind of moves they make. Also, Newcastle have won just once away from home all season and perhaps they will go for a more defensive approach at Anfield.
OUT: Sandro Tonali (suspension), Nick Pope (shoulder), Harvey Barnes (foot), Matt Targett (thigh), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Elliot Anderson (back), Javi Manquillo (groin), Joe Willock (achilles), Jamaal Lascelles (undisclosed)