Salah overcame a missed penalty in the first half to score two goals and assist another, leading Liverpool to a 4-2 victory over Newcastle on New Year’s Day. The win puts them three points ahead at the top of the table. Salah, who is set to join Egypt for the African Cup of Nations, expressed his satisfaction with the result and urged his team to continue working hard to maintain their position. Despite missing the first penalty, he was pleased to end his club duties on a high note and credited his training for his second successful attempt. Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp praised Salah’s impact on the game and the team’s overall performance, while Newcastle boss Eddie Howe questioned the validity of the two penalties given against his side. The defeat has left Newcastle struggling in the league.
The atmosphere was unbelievable during the game.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe acknowledged that his team was fortunate to go into half-time with a goalless scoreline, but he had reservations about both penalties awarded against them.
“I’m still perplexed about the penalties we gave away. The second one, in particular, didn’t appear to be a penalty,” he stated.
“There are two ways to interpret it: the foul on Sean Longstaff (in the second half) was a penalty for me, and it would have made a significant difference in the game, but then they went to the other end, and it wasn’t (a penalty).”
Newcastle’s fifth loss in six league games, as well as one victory in 12 away games, has put them in danger of falling out of reach of the top four.
“We must do all we can to preserve that confidence, which is why I believe we should not overreact,” Howe said.
“Liverpool put up a very tough challenge for us, and we did well to go in at 0-0.
“Without the penalty incidents, the goals we conceded were disappointing.”
