Liverpool navigated a whirlwind game and stormy elements to emerge 4-2 victors from a thrilling clash with Newcastle.
The result sees Jurgen Klopp‘s men move three points clear at the top of the Premier League table, in no small part thanks to Mo Salah.
Their talisman – who shortly heads to the Africa Cup of Nations – galvanised them in the second half and scored twice to help them to the three points.
Martin Dubravka faced a busy evening with commendable bravery but could not keep out a superior Liverpool, who won the midfield battle and ran riot up top.
Here are LEWIS STEELE’S player ratings from Anfield.
Mo Salah showed what Liverpool will be missing out on when he heads to the Africa Cup of Nations with a talismanic performance
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Alisson – 6
Would have been cold and wet in the first half as Newcastle barely mustered an attack. Could not do anything for either of the away team’s goals.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7 (BOOKED)
Came within inches of opening the scoring after just two minutes but his shot was deflected just wide. Rattled the crossbar on 39 minutes with an audacious half-volley but perhaps should have done better when he skied the rebound from Salah’s penalty. Skipped past for Isak’s goal.
Ibrahima Konate – 5
Was poor and static for Isak’s equaliser, as he allowed Isak to run off him and in behind. Konate rarely puts a foot wrong in defence but knows this is a defining season for him with Joel Matip’s long-term injury.
Virgil Van Dijk – 6
Was sent off in the reverse fixture at St James’ Park and there was a moment where Isak, who he fouled on Tyneside for the sending off, charged through on goal and Van Dijk might have thought better of having a pull at the Swede. Too casual for Isak equaliser.
Joe Gomez – 6.5
Klopp said last week that Gomez is back to his very best after a few injury-plagued years and how Liverpool need him to be, with both Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson on the sidelines. Stood up well and kept Gordon quiet when he was on that side.
Wataru Endo’s star is rising at Liverpool and they will miss him when he goes to the Asia Cup
Wataru Endo – 7 (BOOKED)
Salah’s exit to the Africa Cup of Nations grabs the headlines but Endo leaving for the Asia Cup will also leave a sizable hole in Liverpool’s team. The Japan captain has been first class in recent weeks. Is becoming well-liked by the Kop.
Dominik Szoboszlai – 6
Inconsistent form after a blistering start to life on Merseyside and this was not Szoboszlai’s night again. Tried hard with several shots from distance but they were often straight into the path of defenders.
Curtis Jones – 7.5
Always adds energy and verve to Liverpool’s midfield and Jones had several moments where, with a bit of luck, he would have scored more. Finally got his goal on 72 minutes after a typical run into the penalty area. Liverpool’s most underrated player.
Mohamed Salah – 9
Showed Liverpool just what they will be missing when he goes to Africa Cup of Nations as he put a penalty miss behind him to score the first and nearly set up a couple more. Beautiful assist for Gakpo’s goal. Made amends for his earlier spot-kick miss in the second half.
Darwin Nunez was persistently denied by Martin Dubravka but never lost enthusiasm and exploited gaps throughout the game
Darwin Nunez – 7.5
Should have done better with an early chance when Salah fizzed in a nice cross but Nunez was stopped well by Dubravka. But showed decent composure to set up Salah’s opener just after half-time and then continually exploited gaps in Newcastle’s defence.
Luis Diaz – 7.5 (BOOKED)
Has been out of sorts of late but returned to the starting XI after a nice assist at Burnley and started well. Unlucky to see a goal ruled out for an offside against Nunez in the build-up and then won the penalty which Salah missed.
Substitutes
Cody Gakpo (for Nunez 64) – 7
Diogo Jota (for Diaz 64) – 7.5
Ryan Gravenberch (for Szoboszlai 64) – 6
Alexis Mac Allister (for Endo 75) – 6.5
Not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Harvey Elliott, James McConnell, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley.
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3)
Martin Dubravka – 8 (BOOKED)
World-class save to deny Nunez on 12 minutes when the Uruguayan tried to divert Salah’s cross goalwards from close range, and then another to thwart the Egyptian’s penalty. Could do little about any of Liverpool’s goals.
Tino Livramento – 5
A tough day at the office for Livramento, with the Englishman being assigned first Diaz – on a mission to prove he should start every week for Liverpool – and then Gakpo, who scored the Reds’ first.
Dubravka gave Newcastle a fighting chance in the game despite an onslaught of 34 shots
Fabian Schar – 6
Goal-saving block on 12 minutes to deny Jones’ rebounded shot after Dubravka had thwarted Nunez. Newcastle’s central defenders too often lost their men in key areas, though, as Liverpool created chance after chance in the second half.
Sven Botman – 6.5
No surprises that Newcastle’s dip in form started when the Dutchman was missing for 10 Premier League matches with a recent knee injury. Usually does not put a foot wrong but was not at his best here. Nice header to pull agoal back.
Dan Burn – 6.5
Captained the side after returning to the side in recent weeks following a back injury. Kept Salah quiet for much of the first half and was frustrated to see his goal chalked off for an earlier offside infringement.
Sean Longstaff – 5.5 (BOOKED)
Never stopped running in midfield but did little with the ball and too frequently lost Liverpool’s runners from deep.
Sean Longstaff made a good effort but struggled as Liverpool’s midfielders ran from deep
Bruno Guimarães – 6.5 (BOOKED)
Made some important runs through Liverpool’s midfield to advance Newcastle up the pitch and put in a good defensive shift. Looked to be the one encouraging his team-mates on but could not mark his authority on the midfield battle.
Lewis Miley – 5.5 (BOOKED)
Shown his class in an attacking and playmaking sense in recent weeks but this was a strong defensive performance. Made a last-ditch block to stop Jones on 25 minutes. Struggled to impact this match, though.
Anthony Gordon – 6.5
Did not do enough to help his defence out with Salah on that wing but Gordon was integral to Newcastle’s counter-attacking threat. Skipped past Alexander-Arnold and played a nice pass to Isak for their first goal.
Alexander Isak – 7
Was living off a diet of scraps in the first half but was a willing runner and put in a shift of defensive work, too. Took his goal very well as he sprung Liverpool’s offside trap and slotted past Alisson.
Alexander Isak lived off a diet of scraps in the first half but got Newcastle level in the second with a clinical first-time finish
Joelinton – 6.5 (BOOKED)
Put in a good defensive shift as he was clearly tasked to follow Alexander-Arnold and thwarted him well in the first half. Incredibly lucky to escape a yellow card just before half-time for a blatant tactical foul, but finally was booked in the second half.
Substitutes
Miguel Almiron (for Miley 54) – 6
Jamaal Lascelles (for Joelinton 82) – NA
Lewis Hall (for Burn 82) – NA
Not used: Loris Karius, Mark Gillespie, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, Emil Krafth, Alex Murphy.
Referee
Anthony Taylor – 4.5
Some baffling decisions including not booking Joelinton in the first half for the most blatant tactical foul of the season. Got both penalties correct, though.
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