Dominant Liverpool glide past Newcastle in 4-2 win

Liverpool recorded the highest XG in the Premier League on record with 34 efforts at goal in the process. Although only 15 of these were on target they still managed to record an XG of 7.27 in their 4-2 win versus Newcastle which sees the Reds go three points clear at the top of the table. 

Mo Salah scored his 150th goal in the Premier League to give Liverpool the lead when he tapped the ball into an empty net from close range. The Egyptian who played his final game before leaving for the Africa Cup of Nations grabbed his second of the night with a penalty which secured the Reds all three points. This penalty was his second of the night after he missed his first one earlier in the game. 

Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo also got on the scoresheet for the Reds when they both collectively scored from close range past Martin Dubravka. The Slovakian goalkeeper who played well was unable to keep the Liverpool attack out as he was faced with so many shots but he did manage to deny Darwin Nunez on numerous occasions who could have scored multiple times. 

Newcastle did manage to equalise in the 54th minute when Alexander Isak cleverly slotted the ball past Alisson to make it 1-1 and then the Magpies gave Liverpool a late scare when Sven Botman out-jumped Diogo Jota to powerfully header the ball into the back of the net to make the scoreline 3-2 to Liverpool in the 81st  minute. Luckily for Liverpool Salah was able to score his penalty after missing his earlier one to take the game away from Newcastle. 

Luis Diaz was a key player for Liverpool who caused havoc against Newcastle's defence with his constant dangerous dribbles and efforts at goal. Alexis Mac Allister also returned to the pitch after being out with injury and played an inch perfect pass to Jota who won the second penalty. 

There was more tight offside calls in the Premier League for both sides in the first half with both sides scoring but they were both disallowed. Diaz thought he had put the home side ahead with a calm, slotted finish into the bottom corner but it was chalked off and then Dan Burn had the ball in the back of the net after a Newcastle counter attack but it was also chalked off due to an offside in the buildup. 

This win sees Liverpool go three points clear at the top of the Premier League while Newcastle sit in ninth with 29 points and 10 off fifth placed Tottenham.