Newcastle 4-2: With balls, scenery and four instead of seven, the Reds lead the Premier League race

Liverpool celebrated a very important victory in the New Year's match in the twentieth round of the English Premier League. The Reds beat Newcastle 4-2 at a rainy Anfield, and are at the top with 45 points, compared to +3 from Aston Villa and +5 from Manchester City (who played less) and Arsenal.

Liverpool had huge opportunities and complete control in a match that could have ended 7-2. In particular, the Reds achieved 7.20 xG, their best performance of the year, with 34 finals and nine big chances.

Mohamed Salah excelled by scoring two goals and one assist, as Al-Masry bid farewell before leaving to participate in the African Cup of Nations, leaving a huge void in Liverpool.

the match

In the first half, Liverpool completely dominated, and had many opportunities, but did not find the way to the net. In the 12th minute, Salah and Nunez collaborated fantastically. The Uruguayan shot from close range, but Dubravka blocked it. Jones' shot was then blocked by the Newcastle keeper as well, with the period ending with Edu's long-range effort being missed.

In the 18th minute, the Reds scored through Diaz, but Nunez was exposed to danger at the beginning of the half. Four minutes later, the home side won a penalty kick after Dias was fouled by Botman. Salah took over, scoring five goals in a row, but was unable to beat Dubravka.

In the 36th minute, Liverpool had another great opportunity. Nunez found himself in front of Dubravka, but was unable to send the ball into the net. Indeed, Anfield's hearts skipped a beat in the 37th minute when Dunne scored, but it was ruled out by the linesman and VAR due to Isaac's injury.

Before the end of the first half, specifically in the 40th minute, Alexander Arnold shot a ball from the post, after his shot from a difficult angle touched a real, crazy goal.

The second half started with a great Liverpool goal. In the 49th minute, Dias saw Nunes move to the right of the area. He passed Salah, who sent the ball into the net from close range. Shortly afterwards, the Uruguayan missed another great chance, as Dubravka made his presence known once again.

Liverpool took the lead in the 54th minute. Newcastle launched counterattacks, so Isaac advanced into the area from the left side, sent a cross, and sent the ball into the net to equalize the score at 1-1.

Liverpool continued to waste opportunities, and in the 69th minute they had another chance with Hakbo's shot from the top of the penalty area, but the Magpies goalkeeper blocked it again. The Reds finally took the lead again in the 74th minute. Salah and Zota combined down the right flank, and the Portuguese then turned to Jones, who scored to make it 2-1.

In the 78th minute, the Reds increased their lead, albeit temporarily. Salah passed the ball to Hakpo brilliantly, and the Dutchman shot it into the net. In the 81st minute, Newcastle returned to the match, but for a short time. After a corner kick from the right, Botman rose into the air and headed home powerfully.

But Liverpool sealed the win in the 86th minute. Zota tried to pass Dubravka, but was overturned. Taylor shot the white arrow, Salah shot, and the Reds won. Until the final, the Reds had a chance to score another goal, but the 4-2 score remained.

• Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez, Sobozlai (64' Hrafenberg), Edu (75' McAllister), Jones, Salah, Nunes (64' Hakbo), Dias (64' Zota).
• Newcastle: Dubravka, Libramento, Scheer, Botman, Byrne (Hall 82), Maile, Guimarães, Longstaff, Zolindon (Lascelles 82), Gordon, Issac.

Results of the twentieth round

• Luton – Chelsea 2-3 (80' Barkley, 87' Adebayo, 12' 70' Palmer, 37' Madueke)
• Crystal Palace – Brentford 3-1 (14' 58' Ulysses, 39' Ez / 2' Lewis Potter)
• Manchester City – Sheffield United 2-0 (14' Rodri, 61' Alvarez)
• Aston Villa – Burnley 3-2 (28' Bailly, 42' Diaby, 89' Penalty kick. Luiz / 31' Amdouni, 71' Foster)
• Wolverhampton – Everton 3-0 (25' Kelman, 53' Cunha, 61' Dawson)
• Nottingham – Manchester United 2-1 (64' Dominguez, 82' Gibbs-White, 78' Rashford)
• Fulham – Arsenal 2-1 (29' Jimenez, 59' Decordova-Reid / 5' Saka)
• Tottenham – Bournemouth 3-1 (9' Sarr, 71' Sean, 80' Richarlison / 84' Scott)
• Liverpool – Newcastle 4-2 (49', 86' Salah, 74' Jones, 78' Huckpo / 54' Ishaq, 61' Botman).
• 02/01 21:30 West Ham – Brighton

Round 21 programme

• 01/13 14:30 Chelsea – Fulham
• 01/13 19:30 Newcastle – Manchester City
• 01/14 16:00 Everton – Aston Villa
• 01/14 18:30 Manchester United – Tottenham
• 01/15 21:45 Burnley – Luton
• 01/20 14:30 Arsenal – Crystal Palace
• 01/20 19:30 Brentford – Nottingham
• 01/21 16:00 Sheffield United – West Ham
• 01/21 18:30 Bournemouth – Liverpool
• 01/22 21:45 Brighton – Wolves