Liverpool moved three points clear in the Premier League with a 4-2 win over Newcastle, although the game was decided late on.
Juergen Klopp’s side fired 34 shots in the game, scoring 7.27 expected goals – more than any other team in a Premier League game.
But it was not an easy evening, as Newcastle equalised at 1-1 with 16 minutes remaining after Alexander Isak had cancelled out Mohamed Salah’s opener.
Salah had already missed a first-half penalty by that stage, while Darwin Nunez missed two great chances in his eight shots on goal as Liverpool inexplicably failed to take the lead.
But Curtis Jones eventually put the hosts ahead before Cody Gakpo doubled their lead shortly afterwards.
Despite the one-sided statistics, Newcastle came within a goal through a Sven Botman header, but Salah scored from the penalty spot after Diogo Jota was controversially brought down following a Martin Dubravka challenge, leaving the goal open.
It was an evening in which Salah impressed in his last outing before the Africa Cup of Nations and Klopp’s side extended their lead at the top of the table. Liverpool start 2024 with a bang. They are the ones to catch.
