Mohamed Salah's second-half brilliance propelled Liverpool to a 4-2 victory over Newcastle United at a rain-soaked Anfield, securing a three-point lead at the Premier League summit on January 1, 2024. The 31-year-old, boasting 150 Premier League goals for Liverpool, orchestrated a turnaround after a first-half penalty miss. Salah, joint top scorer with Erling Haaland at 14 goals, changed boots at halftime, proving instrumental in the victory.
Liverpool, now leading with 45 points from 20 games, surpassed Aston Villa and asserted their position atop the standings. Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo contributed to Liverpool's dominance, with Sven Botman pulling one back for Newcastle. Salah sealed the triumph with a penalty in the 86th minute, concluding his last game before the African Cup of Nations.
Despite Liverpool's first-half dominance, highlighted by 18 shots to Newcastle's one, Salah's missed penalty and various near-misses kept the Anfield crowd on edge. Trent Alexander-Arnold's wayward strike and a post-hit from a tight angle exemplified Liverpool's early frustrations. Salah, reflecting on the intense match, emphasized the need for composure, stating, "It's a great result for us... We need to stay calm and win every game."
The victory underscored Liverpool's determination to maintain their lead, with Salah's halftime boot change symbolizing the turning point in a memorable start to the new year.
