Liverpool beat Newcastle 4-2 at Anfield on Monday night to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
Mohamed Salah – on his last appearance before heading off to AFCON with Egypt – looked set for a difficult night after he saw his first half penalty saved by Martin Dubrakva.
He made amends to put his side ahead before Alexander Isak equalised. Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo put the Reds in control but Sven Botman threatened a Newcastle comeback.
However, Salah made up for his earlier error by netting on his second attempt from the spot and Jurgen Klopp‘s side started 2024 with a victory.
Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE was at Anfield and looks at some things you might have missed from Monday’s match.
Liverpool beat Newcastle 4-2 to go three points clear at the top of the Premier League
Could getting Beck back ease Reds’ injury crisis?
Liverpool wasted no time in making some January additions to their squad, albeit not in the traditional way.
The Reds yesterday recalled full back Owen Beck from his loan spell at Dundee, following the decision to cut short Fabio Carvalho’s stint at RB Leipzig.
Carvalho will be sent out on loan again, with Championship high-flyers Southampton and Leicester keen. Liverpool are also set to recall Nat Phillips and Rhys Williams from moves that have not worked out at Celtic and Aberdeen.
Beck, though, faces more of an uncertain future, with the 21-year-old Welshman excelling north of the border and a potential alternative to injured full backs Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas. Robertson faces a battle to play this month but is back on the training pitch.
Liverpool recalled young left back Owen Beck from Dundee and he could feature this month
Morton pays his respects
Despite a few disappointing loan moves for Liverpool’s young talents this season, no one can doubt the ability of their midfielder Tyler Morton.
The England Under 21s star, on loan at Hull, laid a commemorative wreath at the Hillsborough memorial as the Tigers played at Sheffield Wednesday, before his day was ruined by a ludicrous red card in a 3-1 loss.
Joelinton takes one for the team
Joelinton occupied some interesting positions, with the Brazilian shifted to a left-wing role by Eddie Howe.
It seemed to be a defensive move, with the Brazilian stalking Trent Alexander-Arnold.
The man-marking role is rarely seen in football these days but Joelinton went some way to stemming Alexander-Arnold’s threat in attack.
Joelinton was tasked with the lesser-spotted man-marking role on Trent Alexander-Arnold
Brazilian legends return to Anfield
Two other Brazilians were at Anfield last night, with former Liverpool heroes Roberto Firmino and Fabinho attending a match for the first time since their summer moves to Saudi Arabia.
Firmino’s exit was premeditated, as explained in his recent autobiography Si Senor, but Fabinho’s unplanned departure has left a hole in Liverpool’s midfield, with Wataru Endo — soon jetting off to the Asian Cup — the only No 6.
Fabinho would still be getting minutes for this side, despite the holding midfielder’s poor form last season.
When Darwin Nunez missed three big chances in the first half, one could not help but think that Firmino’s calmness in front of goal is sorely missed, too — though the Uruguayan did make amends with a composed assist after the break.
Liverpool heroes Roberto Firmino and Fabinho returned to Anfield to watch a match for the first time since their summer moves to Saudi Arabia
Highs and lows on Martin’s stormy night
Rainy conditions can be a nightmare for goalkeepers but Martin Dubravka braved the elements to put in one of the finest performances of the season for Newcastle… for the most part.
The Slovakian denied Mohamed Salah from the penalty spot in the first half and made a string of excellent saves to keep Howe’s men in the contest — but also gave away a late spot-kick as his resistance ultimately proved futile.
Martin Dubravka was in inspired form for Newcastle and saved Mo Salah’s first half penalty
De Bruyne could hold key in title race
For all the talk and endless debate about the title race and a potential four-team scrap for the trophy, perhaps Jurgen Klopp said it best.
‘Kevin De Bruyne is warming up and the whole country is starting to shake’ he said on Manchester City’s fit-again talisman.
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