Liverpool FC remains the measure of all things in the English Premier League after a win against Newcastle United. After countless missed chances, Mohamed Salah had to do it again.
Liverpool FC remains the measure of all things in the English Premier League after a win against Newcastle United. After countless missed chances, Mohamed Salah had to do it again on Monday (January 1st, 2023) with a score of 4:2 (0:0).
As much as the “Reds” have found their way back to their old class after the more than disappointing previous season, they showed once again in the first half what a major weakness they still have. Liverpool dominated the game, created tons of chances in the first half, but showed nerves in front of the opponent’s goal. No matter how great the opportunity was, coach Jürgen Klopp’s team missed it.
Liverpool fails because of themselves and Dubravka
The first big chance was missed by Darwin Nunez, who was set up by Mohamed Salah, but was denied by Martin Dubravka from close range (12′). The Newcastle goalkeeper then saved a penalty from Salah (23rd), who failed from the spot in his fifth attempt for the first time this season and missed his 150th goal in the Premier League.
Later, Nunez ran completely freely towards Dubravka, who saved again (36th), then Trent Alexander-Arnold was unlucky with an artificial shot from the baseline that only hit the post (39th). And that was just a short excerpt from the long list of outstanding options for Liverpool.
Salah scores, Isak counters
As soon as the two teams were back on the pitch, the game initially went in the direction of the visitors’ goal – and this time Liverpool scored too. Luis Diaz started with an outstanding move, after which Nunez only had to cross to Salah, who pushed the ball into the empty goal and still scored his anniversary goal (49th).
Only Dubravka prevented the game from being decided early on. First the goalkeeper saved from close range against Salah, then a few seconds later twice against Nunez (all in the 52nd minute). And then there was the very cold shower for Liverpool. Anthony Gordon broke through down the left and passed through to Alexander Isak, who silenced Anfield with his equalizer (54′).
Brilliant moments from Salah
The game started from scratch, so to speak, and continued as before the two goals. Nunez missed his next top-class chance with a header (64th), then Dubravka was there again against Salah (65th), and he made a brilliant save from eleven meters against Ryan Gravenberch to prevent the “Reds” from taking the lead again (69th). .
The goalkeeper was simply impossible to beat on the line, but Klopp’s team managed to outplay him once again and put a player in front of the empty goal. Salah with a great pass to Diogo Jota, who passed the ball past Dubravka to Curtis Jones – salvation and a 2-1 lead for the hosts (74th). And then Salah’s next stroke of genius decided the game. The best assist provider of 2023 crossed with his outside instep to Cody Gakpo, who increased the score for Liverpool from close range (78th).
Penalty snuffs out Newcastle’s brief hope
But then tension arose again for a short time. After a corner, Sven Botman scored the Magpies’ goal with a powerful header (82′). Two minutes later, however, Dubravka fell Jota, who was charging towards him alone, and caused the second penalty of the day – and Salah converted it in this case (86th).
This time victory was no longer in danger. As a result, league leaders Liverpool were able to maintain their three-point lead over Aston Villa, with Manchester City now behind them, five points behind with one catch-up game still to come. Arsenal FC is tied on points behind the “Citizens”.