At anfield, the two teams put on a new year’s day classic, with liverpool hitting an incredible 15 shots on target as they repeatedly split open the newcastle defence. Their xg of 7.20 was the highest-ever in the premier league since the data was released, and visiting goalkeeper martin dubravka was forced into 11 saves. After two disallowed goals in the first half and a mohamed salah penalty miss, it was all against the flow of play when alexander isak cancelled out salah’s opener to make it 1-1 in the second half. However, the reds continued their attacking dominance, scoring three goals in the last 20 minutes through curtis jones, cody gakpo, and a salah penalty.
Jurgen klopp’s side started 2024 on a high note, leaping three points behind aston villa in the premier league table in the process, scoring a goal. Salah scored his 150th premier league goal during the match, becoming the 11th player to do so since the competition’s inception in 1992. He later reminisced to none other than ronaldo, who he later called back. Salah sat on a nearby advertising board and folded his arms after scoring his second goal from the penalty spot, as ronaldo did at real madrid on numerous occasions. Klopp told sky sports after the match that the egyptian winger was “a goalscorer.” He will continue to do these things. It’s something special. “a special game, a special night.” Salah will be with liverpool for at least a few weeks as he joins the egypt squad for the africa cup of nations. However, with the return of diogo jota, klopp will now add the portugal star to a pool of players that already includes luis diaz, darwin nunez, and cody gakpo as players who can fill in for salah while he is away.
