PLAYER RATINGS: Mo Salah showed Liverpool what they will be missing but Ibrahima Konate was static for Alexander Isak’s equaliser… while Newcastle defender endured tough day at the office
Liverpool had to weather a whirlwind game and stormy elements to emerge 4-2 victors from a tense confrontation with Newcastle.
The result puts Jurgen Klopp's men three points clear at the top of the Premier League, thanks in no small part to Mo Salah.
Their talisman – who will soon be heading to the Africa Cup of Nations – galvanized them in the second half, scoring twice to help them get the three points.
Martin Dubravka faced off a busy evening with commendable courage but could not hold off superior Liverpool, who won the midfield battle and ran riot at the top.
Here are LEWIS STEELE'S player ratings from Anfield.
Mo Salah showed what Liverpool will miss as he heads to the Africa Cup of Nations with a talismanic performance
LIVERPOOL (4-3-3)
Alisson-6
It would have been cold and wet in the first half as Newcastle barely managed to attack. Couldn't do anything for any of the away team's goals.
Trent Alexander-Arnold – 7 (BOOKED)
He came within inches of opening the scoring just two minutes in, but his shot went just wide. Rattled the crossbar with a daring half-volley in the 39th minute but perhaps should have done better when he skied the rebound from Salah's penalty. Passed for Isak's goal.
Ibrahima Konate-5
Was poor and static for Isak's equalizer as he let Isak run off him and fall behind. Konate rarely puts a wrong step in defense but knows this is a defining season for him due to Joel Matip's long-term injury.
Virgil Van Dijk-6
Was sent off in the reverse fixture at St James' Park and there was a moment when Isak, who he fouled on Tyneside due to the sending-off, burst through on goal and Van Dijk might have thought better of taking the Swede out. Too casual for Isak equalizer.
Joe Gomez-6.5
Klopp said last week that Gomez is back to his best after an injury-plagued few years and how Liverpool need him with both Kostas Tsimikas and Andy Robertson on the sidelines. Stood upright and kept Gordon still when he was on that side.
Wataru Endo's star is rising at Liverpool and they will miss him when he heads to the Asia Cup
Wataru Endo – 7 (BOOKED)
Salah's departure for the Africa Cup of Nations is making headlines, but Endo's departure for the Asia Cup will also leave a significant hole in Liverpool's squad. The Japanese captain has been first-class in recent weeks. Becoming increasingly popular at the Kop.
Dominik Szoboszlai-6
Inconsistent form after a blistering start to life on Merseyside and this wasn't Szoboszlai's night again. I tried hard with several shots from distance, but they often went straight into the path of the defenders.
Curtis Jones-7.5
Always adds energy and verve to Liverpool's midfield and Jones had several moments where, with a bit of luck, he would have scored more. He finally got his goal on 72 minutes after a typical run into the penalty area. Liverpool's most underrated player.
Mohamed Salah-9
He showed Liverpool exactly what they will miss going into the Africa Cup of Nations, putting behind a penalty miss to score the first and almost set up a few more. Nice assist for Gakpo's goal. Compensated for his earlier mistake on a penalty in the second half.
Darwin Nunez was constantly denied by Martin Dubravka, but never lost his enthusiasm and took advantage of gaps throughout the game
Darwin Nunez – 7.5
Should have done better with an early chance when Salah sent in a nice cross, but Nunez was well denied by Dubravka. But showed considerable composure to set up Salah's opener just after half-time and then continually exploit gaps in Newcastle's defence.
Luis Diaz – 7.5 (BOOKED)
He had fallen off late, but returned to the starting line-up after a nice assist at Burnley and started well. Too bad that in the build-up a goal was disallowed for offside against Nunez and then won the penalty that Salah missed.
Substitutes
Cody Gakpo (for Nunez 64) – 7
Diogo Jota (for Diaz 64) – 7.5
Ryan Gravenberch (for Szoboszlai 64) – 6
Alexis Mac Allister (for Endo 75) – 6.5
Not used: Caoimhin Kelleher, Harvey Elliott, James McConnell, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley.
NEWCASTLE (4-3-3)
Martin Dubravka – 8 (BOOKED)
A world-class save against Nunez after 12 minutes as the Uruguayan tried to deflect Salah's cross from close range, and then another to thwart the Egyptian's penalty. Couldn't do much about Liverpool's goals.
Tino Livramento-5
A tough day at the office for Livramento, with the Englishman first assigned Diaz – on a mission to prove he should start for Liverpool every week – and then Gakpo, who scored first for the Reds.
Dubravka gave Newcastle a fighting chance in the match despite a 34-shot attack
Fabian Schar-6
Goal-saving block on 12 minutes to deny Jones' rebounded shot after Dubravka had thwarted Nunez. However, Newcastle's centre-backs too often lost their man in key areas as Liverpool created chance after chance in the second half.
Sven Botman-6.5
Unsurprisingly, Newcastle's dip in form began when the Dutchman missed 10 Premier League games due to a recent knee injury. He usually doesn't put a foot wrong, but wasn't at his best here. Nice header to pull the goal back.
Dan Burn-6.5
Captain of the team after returning to the team in recent weeks following a back injury. He kept Salah quiet for much of the first half and was frustrated to see his goal disallowed for an earlier offside infringement.
Sean Longstaff – 5.5 (BOOKED)
Never stopped running in midfield, but did little with the ball and too often lost Liverpool's runners from deep.
Sean Longstaff made a good effort but struggled as Liverpool's midfielders ran from deep
Bruno Guimarães – 6.5 (BOOKED)
Made some important runs through Liverpool's midfield to bring Newcastle up the field and make a good defensive shift. Seemed to be the one encouraging his teammates, but couldn't emphasize his authority in the midfield battle.
Lewis Miley – 5.5 (BOOKED)
Showed his class in attack and playmaking in recent weeks, but this was a strong defensive performance. Made a last-ditch block to stop Jones after 25 minutes. However, I had difficulty influencing this match.
Anthony Gordon – 6.5
Didn't do enough to help his defense with Salah on that wing, but Gordon was integral to Newcastle's counter-attack. Alexander-Arnold skipped past and played a nice pass to Isak for their first goal.
Alexander Isak-7
Lived on a diet of leftovers in the first half, but was a willing runner and also did defensive work. He took his goal very well as he escaped Liverpool's offside trap and slotted past Alisson.
Alexander Isak subsisted on a diet of leftovers in the first half but brought Newcastle level in the second with a clinical first finish
Joelinton – 6.5 (BOOKED)
He put in a good defensive shift as he was clearly tasked to track Alexander-Arnold and countered him well in the first half. Was incredibly lucky to escape a yellow card just before half-time for a glaring tactical error, but was ultimately booked in the second half.
Substitutes
Miguel Almiron (for Miley 54) – 6
Jamaal Lascelles (for Joelinton 82) – NA
Lewis Hall (for Burn 82) – NA
Not used: Loris Karius, Mark Gillespie, Paul Dummett, Matt Ritchie, Emil Krafth, Alex Murphy.
Referee
Anthony Taylor-4.5
Some baffling decisions, including not booking Joelinton in the first half for the most glaring tactical error of the season. However, I got both sentences correct.