Liverpool go 3 points clear at the top of the English Premier League with their last night’s Matchday 20 victory against Newcastle United at home. Jürgen Klopp’s men put on a stellar performance in the six-goal thriller against the Magpies at Anfield yesterday, sealing a 4-2 win with a brace from in-form striker Mohamed Salah and goals from Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo. The superb result means Liverpool go 3 points clear of second-placed Arsenal at the summit of the English top-flight football at 45 points out of a possible 60.
How Did Liverpool Go 3 Points Clear at the Summit of the League?
Since their controversial defeat to Spurs back in October last year, Liverpool had been invincible in the Premier League, winning six and drawing five in their following 11 games in the domestic top-flight football. The Kop managed to find the breakthrough only in the second half, when Salah gave them the first lead of the game. Having missed a penalty in the 22th minute, Salah made no mistakes in his attempt four minutes after the restart, finishing off a wonderful attack that also involved Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Díaz and Darwin Núñez.
Nevertheless, Liverpool did not enjoy their lead for long, since the visitors would go on to equalise in the 54th minute, thanks to Alexander Isak’s effort. The 24-year-old Swedish striker owed the goal to Anthony Gordon, who emphatically beat two players from the home team before a through ball to the former. Isak exquisitely finished the ball at the far post for his 11th goal in 21 appearances in all competitions for the Magpies. The game stayed all square for a good 20 minutes, followed by a four-goal scoring spree within a short span of 13 minutes.
Diogo Jota and Salah combined for a devastating play at the right flank, followed by a set up for the Portuguese by the first scorer of the game. Jota, who came onto the pitch in the 64th minute, proceeded to square a first-time pass for Jones, allowing the young England midfielder to walk the ball into the back of the net. Salah again involved in Liverpool’s goal for the third time, when he received an inch-perfect pass by another replacement Alexis Mac Allister. The Egyptian captain delivered one of the best crosses football fans will ever see with the outside of his left boot to Gakpo, who somehow managed to score despite a poor contact on the ball.
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🚨⚽️ 𝐆𝐎𝐀𝐋 | Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle (Gakpo 77′) pic.twitter.com/61tHUSZHqd
— EuroFoot (@eurofootcom) January 1, 2024
Salah the Star Man for His Final Game Before AFCON
The visiting Magpies pulled one back from a corner set piece, when Sean Longstaff found Dutch centre-back Sven Botman via an accurate cross, but the goal would mean nothing as Salah restored Liverpool’s two-goal advantage with four minutes remaining in the normal playing time of 90 minutes. The Egyptian’s outstanding showing in the form of two goals and an assist not only allowed Liverpool go 3 points clear at the top of the Premier League, but it also marked a temporary halt to his Liverpool career, as he will be travelling with his national side for the Africa Cup of Nations, which will be kickstarted in less than two weeks’ time.
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How Does Salah Feel About Liverpool Go 3 Points Clear in the Premier League?
When asked about Liverpool go 3 points clear atop Premier League, Salah said: “I missed the pen – I didn’t want to leave with national team with that performance. The first one I was confused because the goalkeeper moved, but the second one I did like I did in training. It’s a great result for us. The game was very intense and we managed to pick up three points and now we are top of the table. We need to stay calm and win every game. We believe a lot. 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.”
Liverpool manager Klopp showed his appreciation towards Salah for helping Liverpool go 3 points clear at the summit of the English top-flight football. “Nobody should be really surprised that Mo can change a game. The more goals you have, the more you are used to missing chances and understand what you have to do to keep going and improving, and that was what Mo did. It was a super game from start to finish, super high intensity. I loved so many aspects of the game except the goals we conceded. It was an unbelievable game with and unbelievable atmosphere,” said the 56-year-old.
The opposing head coach Eddie Howe from Newcastle United had this to say about Liverpool go 3 points clear with the 4-2 win over Newcastle: “I’m still confused over the penalties we conceded. The second one especially didn’t look like a penalty. There are two ways to look at it: The challenge on Sean Longstaff was a pen for me and that changes the game massively and then they go up the other end and it wasn’t. We have to do everything we can to protect that confidence so that is why I think we need not to over dramatise things. Take away the penalty moments, the goals we conceded were disappointing.”
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Now that Liverpool go 3 points clear at the top of the Premier League table, do you think they can win it all at the end of the season? Feel free to tell us your thoughts down in the comment section below now!
