The first Premier League game of the year was a spectacle. Liverpool initially wasted chances against Newcastle and were also unlucky, but in the end the Reds won 4-2 thanks in part to a brilliant performance from Salah to extend their lead at the top of the table to three points for the time being
Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp made four changes after the 2-0 win at Burnley: Konaté, Szoboszlai, Jones and Luis Diaz started in place of Quansah, Elliott, Gravenberch and Gakpo (all bench).
Newcastle coach Eddie Howe made two changes to his starting eleven after the disappointing 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest, with Livramento and Joelinton starting in place of the injured Trippier and Almiron (bench).
Liverpool waste chances – Salah misses from the spot
Liverpool started with their usual pressure and had their first dangerous move after just two minutes through Alexander-Arnold. Newcastle found it extremely difficult to break free from the Reds’ high pressing. The Magpies had their first action in the penalty area through Miley (8′).
After twelve minutes, Darwin had the first of a number of great chances for Liverpool, but the ball would not find the net, as was the case with his header (17′), Salah’s missed penalty (22′) and Jones’ finish (26′). When the ball did find its way into the net, it was disallowed for offside (19). On 36 minutes, it was Darwin again who failed to capitalize on a botman’s bock and again failed to beat Newcastle goalkeeper Dubravka.
There was virtually nothing from Newcastle going forward, and in the 37th minute the ball was suddenly in the net, but the assistant’s flag went up in this scene too. The first half still had one excitement to offer: Alexander-Arnold half-volleyed a long ball from Gomez into the middle from the baseline, but only hit the inside left post.
The game became more heated as a result, with referee Anthony Gordon showing three yellow cards in the final phase of the first half alone. With 18:1 shots on goal in favor of the Reds, but the score at 0:0, the teams went into the break
Salah to make it 1-0 – Newcastle equalize out of nowhere
It took just four minutes after the break for Newcastle to take the lead. Darwin laid on a great pass from Luis Diaz to Salah. The Egyptian only had to keep his foot out to score his 150th Premier League goal (49′). The private duel between Darwin and Dubravka then continued (52′, 53′). It was solely down to the Slovakian that the score was only 1-0 at this point.
Out of nowhere, the visitors equalized through Isak (54′). Liverpool carved out further opportunities, knowing that one had to go in at some point. Darwin, who was very active but always unlucky in front of goal, first headed the ball past the goal (64′) before Gakpo also made the acquaintance of Dubravka (69′). In the 74th minute, however, Newcastle’s goalkeeper was beaten. Salah initiated the move with a great pin-pass and, as with the 1-0, all Jones had to do was slot home after Jota’s cross.
Salah’s second attempt from the spot
Only four minutes later it was 3-1, Salah setting up Gakpo with a superb instep pass. But Newcastle did not give up and reduced the deficit again with a header from a corner by Botman (81′). Trailing by just one goal, Newcastle increased their risk but ran the risk of counter-attacking. Diogo Jota was on the run, who went down one-on-one against Dubravka and drew the penalty. Salah stepped up again, this time doing better than in the first half (86′).
Liverpool then went on to manage the result, clinching a 4-2 victory and a successful start to the new year. Newcastle, meanwhile, can thank Dubravka for only conceding four goals.
For both teams, the FA Cup awaits at the weekend. Newcastle visit second division side AFC Sunderland on Saturday (1.45pm), while the Reds face Arsenal FC in the absolute top match of the 3rd round (Sunday 5.30pm).
