by Well, it was never going to go quietly. Mohamed Salah sealed the Africa Cup of Nations with two goals and an assist as Liverpool went three points clear at the Premier League summit with victory over recalcitrant Newcastle. Jürgen Klopp will already be counting the days until his return.
Salah’s final appearance for Liverpool before representing Egypt in the Ivory Coast was a test of the leaders’ composure as well as their resources at the end of a challenging festive schedule. They ran with determination. There were poor chances at times as Eddie Howe’s visitors defended closely and drew level through Alexander Isak but, not for the first time this season, Liverpool’s top scorer and his options off the bench made the difference.
Related: Liverpool v Newcastle: Premier League – live
Klopp’s side enjoyed a six-point swing in their favor against Arsenal Mikel Arteta’s side left Anfield 10 days ago sitting top of the table.
Injuries certainly added to Newcastle’s recent troubles, with Callum Wilson and Kieran Trippier on the absentee list here, but Howe’s starting line-up at Anfield wasn’t a million miles from the team that qualified for the Champions League last season. A lack of confidence on the ball was more of a problem for the visitors than a lack of options, and it was no surprise after they had suffered six defeats in their previous seven games. Newcastle, however, managed to stifle Liverpool with a deep defense and limit their chances of passing through a dense midfield.
Liverpool started at a furious pace, both their players and the crowd counting on opportunities to extend their lead at the top of the table. Trent Alexander-Arnold had a powerful drive deflected just wide of Martin Dubravka’s goal after 90 seconds. The Newcastle goalkeeper made a fine save to push out Darwin Núñez’s effort after he, Salah and Alexander-Arnold combined to open up the visiting defense for the first time. The rebound fell to Curtis Jones but Fabian Schär was in a good position to block his backline.
The hosts dominated possession but, with Joelinton and Anthony Gordon getting close to Newcastle’s midfield, they struggled to break through their lines. The first time Liverpool managed to score, although Luis Díaz’s effort was disallowed for offside. Virgil van Dijk released Jones in space and the midfielder targeted the Newcastle defense with a superb ball into Núñez who passed to Díaz, making his 50th start for Liverpool, converting confidently. VAR upheld the assistant referee’s flag against Núñez. Finally.
Newcastle’s comeback should have been seconds gone. Liverpool immediately regained possession and Díaz made his way past Dan Burn inside the area before falling to Sven Botman’s challenge. The referee, Anthony Taylor, pointed immediately, VAR eventually agreed, and Salah stepped forward to take the penalty. His 150th league goal for Liverpool arrived but Salah drove the spot-kick straight down the middle and Dubravka pushed clear. Alexander-Arnold was the first loose ball but he sliced high into the Kop.
Dubravka enjoyed the first half. The keeper blocked Núñez again when Botman slipped in pursuit of a long ball and the Uruguay international was left one-on-one with Dubravka, saving the striker’s follow-up effort. Alexander-Arnold hit the keeper with a half-award plane from a seemingly impossible angle that kissed the far post.
With Alexander Isak isolated throughout Newcastle there were few chances and the counter-attack was limited. An early effort from Lewis Miley was blocked by Joe Gomez, who played Isak into space on the right, although Burn had a diving header disallowed for a slight header against the lone striker after a neatly taken break.
Anfield grew more embarrassed by Taylor’s willingness to let the game flow, or a great mercy towards Joelinton would be another way of putting it. Brazil managed to get booked for bringing down Dominik Szoboszlai when the Liverpool midfielder was in full swing and Díaz was fouled on the edge of the area without penalty as well. When a yellow card was finally produced, and it was shown to Alexander-Arnold for kicking the ball, the Liverpool defender became furious and approached the referee. He can be grateful for Ibrahima Konaté seeing the warning signs and sprinting upfield to push his vice-captain away. Joelinton was eventually booked for a foul on Konaté in the 67th minute.
Liverpool’s growing frustration was eased minutes after the restart when Salah scored his 150th league goal for the club. Newcastle were ruthlessly punished for a rare rush into the Liverpool penalty area, with Szoboszlai finding Díaz in space on the left. The Colombia international made progress and Núñez was picked out unmarked on the right with a fine pass. Núñez, just at the other end, squared for Salah to reach his latest goal with a simple tap-in. Former team-mate Roberto Firmino impressed the crowd as he became the fifth player in Liverpool’s history to reach 150 league goals.
Klopp’s side came close to doubling their advantage when Salah returned the favor to Núñez only for Dubravka to save at point blank range. He blocked Núñez again when the centre-forward closed in from the right, and the last ditch effort prevented Jones, Díaz and substitute Cody Gakpo from getting on the scoreboard.
Newcastle didn’t offer much as an attacking force but drew level quickly, and in style, when Gordon found himself in space on the left and played a beautifully weighted pass past Isak behind the Liverpool defence. Isak made his first chance of the night count, lifting a delicate finish past Alisson and into the far corner.
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Subs greatly contributed to Liverpool’s campaign and another came with 15 minutes remaining when Diogo Jota headed home the second. Jota swept down the right before finding Salah, continued his run into the area where he received the ball back and squared for Jones to convert from close range. Another substitute, Gakpo, added a third when he received an exquisite cross home from Salah, who exposed the Newcastle defense with a flick from outside his boot.
Botman pulled one back for Newcastle when he headed home from a corner but Liverpool avoided a nervy climax when Jota went through on goal and cut back past Dubravka. This time Salah made no mistake from the penalty spot, sending Dubravka the wrong way and Liverpool two points clear at the top.
