Salah scores double after penalty miss | English Premier League

Salah scores double after penalty miss | English Premier League

Mohamed Salah of Liverpool takes a penalty during the Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United at Anfield on January 01, 2024 in Liverpool, England(Image-Getty)

This was Mohamed Salah's last game for Liverpool before heading to the African Cup of Nations. He missed a penalty in the 22nd minute and caused a bit of discomfort. But it is natural that it turns into relief as it is filled with double goals later. Along with this relief, Liverpool fans also enjoyed a big win in the first game of the new year. Liverpool beat Newcastle United 4-2 at Anfield. But in this thrilling match of six goals, the two teams were goalless in the first half!

The level of disbelief may have been exacerbated by the fact that the hosts had several chances to score in the first half. Liverpool took 18 shots in the first half, their most in the first half of a Premier League match since the 2016 match against Everton. But the work was not done. Trent Alexander-Arnold hits the post, Darwin Nunez is stopped by Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka. Stopped by the Video Assistant Referee (VAR). Luis Diaz's goal was disallowed by VAR as Nunez was offside. Newcastle's Dan Burn's headed goal in the 37th minute was also disallowed by VAR technology. Alexander Isaac was offside.

Before that, Liverpool received a penalty when Diaz was fouled in Newcastle's box in the 22nd minute. That, of course, is thanks to VAR technology. But Dubravaka had no difficulty stopping Salah's weak shot. After joining Liverpool in the 2017-18 season, Salah could not score from 6 penalties in the league. During this time, no other player in the Premier League has missed so many penalties.

After the break, however, the picture of the match changed. In the 49th minute, Nunez received the ball from Diaz and passed it to Salah who was standing in space. The Egyptian star scored in an empty net. After that, Newcastle equalized with Isaac's goal in the 54th minute. But 74 to 78—Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo scored in these five minutes to give Liverpool the flavor of victory. There was still some drama left.

Sven Boatman's goal in the 81st minute kept Newcastle alive. But Liverpool's penalty ended that hope as Diogo Jota was fouled in their box. Salah scored from this spot kick in the 86th minute. Through this, the Liverpool forward shared the seat of Arling Holland's highest scorer (14 goals) in the league.

In this victory, 45 points in 20 matches are the top Liverpool. Aston Villa is second with 42 points in the match. Newcastle are ninth with 29 points from 20 matches.