Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle LIVE REACTION: Salah recovers from penalty miss to propel Reds three points clear at top of table
Liverpool moved three points clear at the top of the Premier League table thanks to a stunning 4-2 win over Newcastle.
The Reds were brilliant from start to finish and could have scored more had Martin Dubravka not been in top form.
He saved Mohamed Salah's penalty in the first half before Salah opened the scoring early in the second half.
Alexander Isak then equalised with a lovely finish before Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo put the Reds 3-1 up.
Sven Botman's bullet header had the Toon back in the game before Diogo Jota won a controversial penalty that Salah converted.
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle - REACTION
Right, that's it from us this evening as Liverpool move three points clear at the top of the Premier League.
It was a sublime game of football, with both teams playing their part, but it is the Reds who came out on top.
Meanwhile, Newcastle now look ahead to the Wear-Tyne derby, and it's going to be a massive game for the Toon.
We hope you enjoyed the coverage and will see you all again soon.
But if you want to know more, read our match report.
Martin Dubravka
Since Nick Pope was injured, Martin Dubravka has looked shaky and nothing like the solid Premier League goalkeeper we all know he is.
However, he was back to his best tonight with an excellent penalty save and ten other stops, including couple of brilliant ones.
He stopped the Reds totally running over the Toon at points.
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Klopp blown away by display
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had nothing but praise for his team's performance against Newcastle.
Speaking to beIN SPORTS, he said: "It was a top performance.
"This game was exceptional. It was a counter-pressing demonstration, that's why we had the amount of chances.
"It was a really special performance. The performance was outstanding. Loved the game and loved the atmosphere.
"What this club can create on and off the pitch is exceptional."
Sublime Salah
To miss a penalty and bounce back with two goals and an assist proves Mohamed Salah's elite mentality.
There was a time when Dan Burn was getting the better of him, but he had the last laugh.
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Delight and misery
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle - REACTION
- Liverpool's Mohamed Salah became just the fifth player to score 150 Premier League goals for a single club in the competition after Harry Kane for Tottenham (213), Sergio Agüero for Man City (184), Wayne Rooney for Man Utd (183) and Thierry Henry for Arsenal (175).
- Liverpool are now unbeaten in 28 consecutive home Premier League games against Newcastle (W23 D5), the joint longest home unbeaten run by a side against a specific opponent in the competition’s history (Chelsea vs Everton, also an ongoing run of 28).
- With an Expected Goals figure of 7.27 this evening, Liverpool recorded the highest xG total on record (since 2010-11) in a single Premier League game.
Howe digests defeat
Newcastle gave a good account of themselves in many ways at Anfield, but ultimately you can't concede 15 shots on target and not expect to concede a least a couple of goals.
But Eddie Howe was pleased with elements of the performance.
However, he wasn't happy with the second penalty.
Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: "We're disappointed with the way we defended the last two goals.
"But I didn't think the second one was a penalty, and I thought Sean Longstaff's was, just before that.
"Martin [Dubravka] has pulled his hand away, and he's taken two steps and gone down.
"Even the first one, the contact was minimal.
"You have to have the mindset to create your luck yourself. Feeling negative emotions never has any positive outcome.
"It wasn't a perfect performance. I thought the lads gave everything. Liverpool played very well."
Salah reflects on final game before AFCON
Mohamed Salah has been talking to Sky Sports about the 4-2 win over Newcastle at Anfield.
He said: "It's a great result. The game was very intense, but we managed to get three points.
"Now we are top of the table, and we just need to carry on and try to win every game.
"We missed a lot of chances. I missed a penalty, but I knew I needed to step up for the team and make the difference."
Credit: AFP Penalty controversy
It shouldn't take away from what was an excellent attacking display, but how on earth Diogo Jota got a penalty when Liverpool were 3-2 up is beyond me and most people.
It's a clear dive.
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle - REACTION
Incredibly, Liverpool amassed an xG of 7.27.
They also had 34 shots on goal.
Liverpool fans, look at that!
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle - FULL TIME
90+' - That's the end of the game, and what a match it was!
Liverpool and Newcastle rarely disappoints and this one didn't either, but it's the Reds who take the points and move three points clear at the top of the table.
Salah recovered from his penalty miss to score twice and grab an assist, in an incredible performance.
It was a stunning match of football, stay with us for all the reaction.
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
90+' - Gravenberch plays a sublime pass to the far side.
Salah collects and drives into the box.
He fires in a shot that Botman blocks.
It drops for Jota, and he rifles in a strike that is deflected wide.
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
90+' - The hosts are now looking to just see this one out.
The Magpies have given everything, but that penalty has killed them.
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
90+' - Seven minutes of added time.
Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
90+' - Longstaff into the book for a late tackle.
He then has to be separated from getting to Van Dijk.
He's letting his frustrations get the better of him.
GOAL! Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle - Mohamed Salah
86' - HE DOESN'T MISS THIS ONE!
Salah steps up and sends Dubravka the wrong way.
And that should be the end of that.
Liverpool 3-2 Newcastle - Penalty
85' - The hosts have a penalty!
Jota is played through and goes around Dubravka.
There is almost no contact, but the referee points straight to the spot.
Matterface: "I think that's an absolutely scandalous decision if that's given."
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GOAL! Liverpool 3-2 Newcastle - Sven Botman
81' - THE TOON HAVE ONE BACK!
Longstaff wins a corner with a deflected cross.
He takes the corner and whips in a wonderful ball and Botman climbs over everyone and powers in a brilliant header.
It's game on again!
Pearce: "This could be one of the classics of all time."
GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle - Cody Gakpo
78' - GAME OVER!
Gakpo finishes it, but this is all about Salah.
He picks it up on the right and curls in a fantastic cross with the outside of his boot that Gakpo bundles home.
VAR has a look, but it's onside.
GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle - Curtis Jones
74' - THAT IS A LOVELY GOAL!
Salah comes down the right and slides a brilliant pass to Jota.
He rolls the ball to Jones, who taps in from very close range.
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Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle
73' ' - Botman nips in front of Gravenberch.
Guimaraes finds Gordon on the left.
He clips a cross to the far post and Longstaff brings it down, but the touch gets away from him and Alisson gathers.
Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle
71' - Gordon comes in from the left and finds Isak.
He clips a pass over the top for Gordon.
He beats Konate to the ball and goes down under a bit of pressure, but doesn't win a free-kick.
Proper battle
Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle
69' - Alexander-Arnold whips a corner in from the right.
It drops for Gakpo, who rifles in a shot, and Dubravka is there again!
Matterface: "Dubravka has been magnificent."
