ANFIELD, LIVERPOOL // Liverpool extended its lead at the top of the Premier League to three points by beating Newcastle 4-2 in an enthralling fixture to start 2024.
Liverpool dominated proceedings in the first half, but somehow failed to get on the scoresheet. Luis Díaz was denied an opener when Darwin Núñez was caught offside, before Mohamed Salah was presented with an opportunity to give the Reds the lead from the spot.
It was Díaz again who carved out the chance as he was brought down just as he was about to pull the trigger. Salah failed to make the most of it though as his effort was saved by Martin Dúbravka, with Trent Alexander-Arnold turning the rebound over.
Despite Liverpool’s dominance, the host was also lucky not to fall behind when Dan Burn headed home, only to be denied by a marginal Alexander Isak offside in the build-up. Núñez spurned another opportunity after finding himself one-on-one with Dúbravka as frustration began to grow around Anfield.
Thankfully for Liverpool, it didn’t last too long into the second half. A driving run from Dominik Szoboszlai saw him find Díaz, who in turn found Núñez, with the Uruguayan squaring to Salah for the easiest of tap-ins.
It was almost roles reversed moments later, with Núñez denied by Dúbravka from Salah’s ball, before Newcastle delivered a sucker punch. Anthony Gordon played Alexander Isak through, with the Swede providing a superb finish to level the game up.
To say it was against the run of play would be putting it lightly, with Liverpool by far the better team but spurning numerous opportunities. A second reward finally arrived with just over 15 minutes remaining, this time Diogo Jota turning provider for Curtis Jones to tap home.
The result was put beyond any doubt shortly after, with Gakpo this time turning home from Salah’s brilliant cross to make it 3-1. Sven Botman put a bit of doubt in the Anfield crowd as he headed home with just under 10 minutes to go, but Salah made amends for his earlier penalty miss by making it 4-2 from the spot after Jota was brought down. Here are the five things Liverpool.com spotted as the game unfolded.
Si Señor
Social media was buzzing pre-match as pictures emerged of Roberto Firmino back at Anfield. It’s the first time the Brazilain has been back at Liverpool since leaving the club during the summer.
He was joined back at his old stomping ground by his compatriot and former teammate Fabinho, with the pair given a warm welcome back by supporters.
Salah change pays off
Having dominated the opening 20 or so minutes, the biggest mystery of the game was how Liverpool hadn’t taken the lead yet. Luis Díaz was in sparkling form, and it was no surprise to see him provide a golden opportunity to put things right.
Presented with the chance from the spot, practically everyone in Anfield would have been waiting for the net to bulge as Mohamed Salah stepped up. It didn’t though, and perhaps we shouldn’t be that surprised.
Martin Dúbravka’s save means Salah has missed four of his last 11 penalties for Liverpool. The Egyptian admitted to Steven Gerrard earlier this year that he ‘hates’ penalties, so it begs the question whether someone else should take the responsibility.
Salah did make amends later on by scoring from the spot, and it was spotted that he had changed his boots at the break. Clearly, the change paid off.
Klopp fumes
As the rain drove down, the heat began increasing at Anfield as the crowd became increasingly furious with referee Anthony Taylor. The source of the anger came from his failure to show Joelinton a yellow card for hauling down Dominik Szoboszlai as he broke into the Newcastle half.
It was as clear a booking as you’re ever likely to see. What made it even more galling is the Brazilian somehow avoided a booking just moments later after a two-handed push on Díaz, with the Colombian instead receiving a yellow for his protestations.
And as the crowd’s ire began to rise, so did Jürgen Klopp’s. With decisions going against his side, and his players in danger of losing their heads, the German vented his frustrations at fourth official Andy Madley, although it didn’t seem to have much effect as Taylor was booed off at the break.
Another injury worry
Klopp rang the changes shortly after the hour mark as Liverpool looked to turn its dominance into another lead, with three changes being made. Among those changes though might have been another injury concern.
Dominik Szoboszlai was spotted holding the back of his left thigh as he walked off the pitch and made his way around to the dugout. Given the length of the injury list at the moment, Liverpool will not want another name added to it.
Klopp sends another message to fans
Jürgen Klopp hasn’t shied away from criticizing the Anfield crowd recently, having complained about the atmosphere during the Carabao Cup win over West Ham. And he seemed to have another message for the Liverpool faithful against Newcastle.
After Gakpo made it 3-1, the Reds boss turned to fans behind him and held his hand to his ear, indicating he wanted more noise from the crowd. It seems he might still not be completely satisfied with the atmosphere.
