Salah change pays off
There was no way Mohamed Salah was going to say goodbye to Liverpool in such miserable fashion.
The stage was set for the Egyptian to make a goalscoring departure before heading off to the Africa Cup of Nations when Luis Diaz was fouled by Sven Botman midway through the first half, only for Salah to lose the battle of wits with Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who saved diving to his left.
The winger was momentarily floored. But, one half-time change of boots later, Salah was transformed, tapping in Darwin Nunez’s low cross to open the scoring and net his 150th Premier League goal for Liverpool, only the fifth player to achieve such a feat.
It was 151 before the end when, afforded another chance from the spot, he made no mistake, while in between came a sumptuous cross from the outside of his left foot from the right flank for Cody Gakpo to score. To think there are those who don’t believe Salah remains Liverpool’s most important player.
Wataru Endo, meanwhile, was also bidding farewell, his performance meriting the rapturous applause that greeted his departure with 15 minutes remaining following another hard-working, influential outing.
Liverpool will miss the pair. The challenge now is to ensure everything is to play for when they return.
Jones underlines claim
When, back in April, Liverpool made the tactical switch that kickstarted their latest iteration under Jurgen Klopp, it coincided with the return to fitness of Curtis Jones after a frustrating, injury-hampered campaign.
He was an ever-present for the remainder of the season and confident of maintaining his starting role this term, despite the summer midfield overhaul.
A couple of niggling injuries and a contentious red card meant it didn’t quite work out that way, Jones unable to put together a consistent run of appearances with his form fluctuating as a consequence.
Recently, though, the 22-year-old has grasped the nettle once again. And after a hard-working start against Arsenal was followed by a brace against West Ham United in the League Cup, here the midfielder stepped up once again, injecting tempo, defending diligently and impressively composed before his peppering of the Newcastle goal ultimately resulted in a deserved tap-in for Liverpool’s second.
A potential injury for Dominik Szoboszlai and a slump in form for Ryan Gravenberch has highlighted the importance of Jones. No longer a youngster, he understands what is needed for this Liverpool.
Steer clear of any availability issues and Jones can be as integral during the second half of the campaign as he was on his return last season.
Duo return can’t overshadow landmark
The sight of Roberto Firmino and Fabinho returning to Anfield for the first time following their summer departures to Saudi Arabia warmed the hearts pre-match on a chilly evening.
But it was the Brazil international who remains at Liverpool who was celebrating a landmark occasion, with Alisson Becker making his 250th appearance between the sticks for the club.
Of course, it was during the match at Newcastle back in August that the goalkeeper made what he subsequently regards his best Premier League save for the club when turning Miguel Almiron’s piledriver on to the crossbar.
Such heroics weren’t required here, although there will be frustration at conceding twice. Nevertheless, Liverpool can still boast the stingiest defence in the top flight this campaign, leaking just 18 times in 20 games.
So continues their hold over Newcastle, having now gathered 117 points during the Premier League era against the Toon Army, more than they have against any other club.
And they stand 16 points ahead of a team they finished four points behind last season. How long ago that seems now.
