Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
by James Nalton
at Anfield
LIVERPOOL stormed clear at the top of the Premier League following a dismantling of Newcastle United in the swirling rain at Anfield on Monday night.
For large parts of the game, the home side struggled to make their dominance count, missing numerous chances, including one from the penalty spot.
Mohamed Salah’s spot-kick was saved by Martin Dubravka, while Darwin Nunez was thwarted by the Newcastle goalie on numerous occasions.
The pair eventually combined to open the scoring, but Newcastle hit back on the break through Alexander Isak.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp tried something different midway through the second half, replacing Luis Diaz and Nunez with Diogo Jota and Cody Gakpo.
From there the chances began to be converted.
Jota set up Curtis Jones before Salah put one on a plate for Gakpo. A Sven Botman header made it nervier for Liverpool than it should have been, but Salah got another chance from the spot late on and this time made no mistake.
With the forwards missing chances as they did, the real impressive displays for Liverpool came in midfield from Jones and Wataru Endo.
Jones netted his side’s second goal, but his drive in and out of possession throughout this game was the most impressive aspect of his play.
“It was a special game from Curtis, to be honest,” said Klopp.
“His high press, his counter-press. We all know how good a player Curtis is — technically incredibly skilled, but he finds more and more direction in his dribbling so he gets out of situations better, and in his pressing and counter-pressing he sets the level.
“I’m really happy with that, and it keeps every play in the game. The counter-pressing we played today was absolutely exceptional.”
Endo, meanwhile, was mopping up scraps in midfield as usual and contributing to build-up play.
His defensive performance must have left Newcastle players wondering if there might be two of him.
Liverpool will now be without Salah and Endo for several games as they take part in the Africa Cup of Nations and Asian Cup respectively.
The league leaders will miss them greatly, but the likes of Jones and Jota may be coming into top form at just the right time.
