Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle: Player Ratings as Reds Extend Premier League Lead by Three Points

Three goals from Curtis Jones, Cody Gakpo, and a brace from Mohamed Salah helped Liverpool secure a crucial 4-2 victory over Newcastle United.

Liverpool dominated the game at Anfield on New Year's Day, with 32 attempts on goal and an xG of over seven, setting a new league record. Despite the impressive performance, Liverpool could have scored more if it wasn't for Newcastle's Martin Dubravka and Darwin Nunez's poor form.

The win puts Liverpool three points clear at the top of the Premier League table, while Newcastle drops to ninth place.

Liverpool started brightly, attacking towards the Kop end in the first half, putting pressure on Newcastle and creating several early chances. Trent Alexander-Arnold came close with a shot from outside the box just two minutes into the game, narrowly missing the target.

Alexander-Arnold then set up Nunez with a through pass, but the striker failed to convert the chance. Liverpool thought they had scored in the 18th minute through Luis Diaz, but the goal was disallowed for offside after a VAR review.

Shortly after, Diaz won a penalty for Liverpool, but Salah's spot-kick was saved by Dubravka. Despite dominating the first half, Liverpool almost conceded a goal, but Dan Burn's effort was ruled out for offside.

Alexander-Arnold came close to scoring a spectacular goal, but his shot went just wide. Liverpool finally broke the deadlock early in the second half, with Salah tapping in from close range.

Nunez missed two chances to double Liverpool's lead before Alexander Isak equalized for Newcastle. Klopp made changes, bringing on Gakpo and Jota, with Gakpo scoring Liverpool's second goal.

Jones and Gakpo added two more goals for Liverpool, while Botman scored a consolation goal for Newcastle. Salah converted a penalty late in the game to secure a 4-2 win for Liverpool.