Reworded: Mohamed Salah made a grand exit as he scored two goals and provided an assist in his final match for Liverpool before leaving to represent Egypt in the Africa Cup of Nations. This helped secure a three-point lead for Liverpool in the Premier League standings against a demoralized Newcastle team. Jürgen Klopp is eagerly anticipating Salah’s return. The match was a true test of Liverpool’s ability to stay calm and use their resources effectively after a challenging holiday schedule, and they passed with flying colors.
The victory against Newcastle was ultimately easy, as their defensive strategy fell apart as the game progressed. It could have been a bigger win, but Salah missed a penalty and Dubravka’s goalkeeping was exceptional. However, it also posed a tough challenge for Liverpool at certain moments.
The team led by Klopp had to figure out a strategy to break through the defensive and tightly-packed visitors led by Eddie Howe. Despite missed opportunities and a surprise goal from Newcastle’s Alexander Isak, the team remained calm and determined. Klopp praised the team’s resilience, saying “The way we handled those missed chances was impressive. Everyone was motivated. We kept pushing and pushing…”
Once again this season, the top scorer for Liverpool and their substitutes proved vital. With two goals, Salah now has a total of 151 league goals for the team, making him the fifth player in the club’s history to achieve this milestone. Additionally, their expected goals (xG) of 7.27 in this Premier League game is the highest ever recorded. This six-point difference in Liverpool’s favor over Arsenal in the past week is considered more significant.
Newcastle suffered their seventh loss in eight games, displaying a notable lack of confidence on the ball and poor defensive efforts (excluding Dubravka). Howe contended that Liverpool’s fourth goal, a penalty by Salah, should not have been given as substitute Diogo Jota fell after minimal contact from the Newcastle goalie. However, he acknowledged that he could not complain about the result. “We are not feeling very confident right now, but we must do everything we can to maintain it,” he stated. “However, we cannot overreact or make a big deal out of it.”
Liverpool started at a furious pace, their players and crowd alike sensing an inviting chance to stretch their lead at the top of the table. Trent Alexander-Arnold had a powerful drive deflected just wide after 90 seconds. The Newcastle goalkeeper produced a fine save to flick away a Darwin Núñez effort after he, Salah and Alexander-Arnold combined to carve open the visiting defence for the first time. The rebound fell to the excellent Curtis Jones but Fabian Schär blocked in front of his goalline.
Luis Díaz’s goal against Núñez was not counted due to being offside. Newcastle’s brief relief was short-lived as Liverpool quickly regained possession. Díaz skillfully maneuvered past Dan Burn in the penalty area before being taken down by Sven Botman. Referee Anthony Taylor promptly awarded a penalty, which was later confirmed by VAR, but Salah’s shot down the middle was saved by Dubravka. Alexander-Arnold attempted to score with the loose ball, but it ended up high in the Kop. During halftime, Salah chose to change his footwear.
Dubravka had a strong first half, making some impressive saves. Núñez was denied once again by the substitute goalkeeper when Botman slipped while chasing a long pass. This left the Uruguay international with a one-on-one opportunity, but Dubravka was able to save both his initial shot and the follow-up attempt. Alexander-Arnold did manage to score with a bold half volley from a difficult angle, which hit the far post.
Due to Isak’s isolated position on the field, chances for Newcastle were limited and mostly came from counterattacks. In the beginning of the game, Joe Gomez prevented a shot from Lewis Miley, who was set up by Isak on the right side. Later, Burn’s diving header was ruled offside due to a small infraction by the lone striker during a well-executed counterattack.
Liverpool’s frustration, mainly due to Taylor’s leniency towards Joelinton, was eased just minutes into the second half when Salah scored his 150th league goal. Newcastle’s rare attack into Liverpool’s penalty area proved costly as Dominik Szoboszlai passed to Díaz who found Núñez in open space. The Colombian player then advanced and passed to an unmarked Núñez on the right. Núñez, who was just onside, assisted Salah in scoring his latest milestone with a simple tap-in. Former teammate Roberto Firmino, who was watching from the sidelines, celebrated as Salah became the fifth player in Liverpool’s history to reach 150 league goals.
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Although Newcastle had not been very threatening in their attacks, they were able to quickly equalize with a stylish play by Anthony Gordon. Gordon found an opening and made a perfectly timed pass to Isak, who was making a run behind Liverpool’s defense. Isak made the most of his first opportunity of the game by delicately lifting the ball over Alisson and into the far corner of the net.
Substitutes have made a huge contribution to Liverpool’s campaign and another arrived with 15 minutes remaining when Jota orchestrated the second. Jota swept down the right before finding Salah, then continued his run into the area where he received the return ball and squared for Jones to convert from close range. Another substitute, Cody Gakpo, added a third when scuffing home an exquisite cross from Salah, who exposed the Newcastle defence with a flick of the outside of his boot.
Newcastle’s Botman scored a goal from a corner, reducing their deficit. However, Liverpool secured a comfortable win when Jota received a pass and was fouled while attempting to round Dubravka. Salah then successfully converted a penalty, extending Liverpool’s lead to three points.
Source: theguardian.com
