This Monday, we started the year 2024 in great style for Liverpool with a clash between the Reds and Newcastle. Leaders, Jürgen Klopp’s flock wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to take three points ahead of their runner-up Aston Villa while relegating Manchester City and Arsenal to five points. For its part, Newcastle (9th) wanted to regain color after 4 defeats in its last 5 matches. Showing up with Wataru Endo and Mohamed Salah just before they left for the Asian Cup and Africa Cup of Nations, the Reds wanted to start strong.
Overall Premier League standings
|
#
|
Team
|
Pts
|
J
|
DIF
|
G
|
NOT
|
D
|
BP
|
B.C.
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
1 |
|
45 |
20 |
25 |
13 |
6 |
1 |
43 |
18 |
|
2 |
|
42 |
20 |
16 |
13 |
3 |
4 |
43 |
27 |
|
3 |
|
40 |
19 |
24 |
12 |
4 |
3 |
45 |
21 |
|
4 |
|
40 |
20 |
17 |
12 |
4 |
4 |
37 |
20 |
|
5 |
|
39 |
20 |
13 |
12 |
3 |
5 |
42 |
29 |
See the full ranking
Getting their foot on the ball, Jürgen Klopp’s team increased their attacks on Martin Dubravka’s cage. Thus, Trent Alexander-Arnold (2nd), Darwin Nunez (12th) and Curtis Jones (12th) announced the color before Luis Diaz found the fault well offset by Darwin Nunez (18th). Ultimately the Colombian’s goal was disallowed for offside. In the process, the former FC Porto player obtained a penalty following a slight foul by Sven Botman but his teammate Martin Dubravka then repelled Mohamed Salah’s strike (22nd). Liverpool insisted via Darwin Nunez twice (36th) and Dan Burn crucified Anfield… Before being flagged offside (37th).
Mohamed Salah on all goals
A real alert for the Reds who found the crossbar through Trent Alexander-Arnold (39th). An undivided domination but which found no realism. Finally, Mohamed Salah managed to force the lock after returning from the locker room by finishing following a nice delivery from Darwin Nunez (1-0, 49th). Galvanized, Liverpool insisted with three new chances in the seconds that followed (52nd, 52nd and 53rd) but Newcastle managed to come back with a great inspiration from Anthony Gordon which allowed Alexander Isak to finish (1-1, 54th). Thinking they were cursed, Liverpool took back their seat and Luis Diaz (62nd) then Darwin Nunez (64th) remained in check.
Finally, it was Curtis Jones who put on the hero’s costume following a good combination on the left side between Curtis Jones and Mohamed Salah (2-1, 74th). In the process, Cody Gakpo even managed to give his team some breathing room following a sublime cross from Mohamed Salah (3-1, 78th). But when the hardest part seemed to be done, Sven Botman equalized with a header from a corner (3-2, 81st). A reminder without much consequence since Diogo Jota then obtained a penalty transformed by the inevitable Mohamed Salah (4-2, 86th). With this 4-2 victory, Liverpool consolidates its lead at the top of the Premier League and relegates Aston Villa, its closest pursuer, to three points.
