“Regular” football is also played in the Premier League on New Year’s Eve, and Liverpool particularly enjoyed it this time. England’s league leaders consolidated their position with a 4-2 win over Newcastle United in an exciting match. Dutchmen Cody Gakpo (Liverpool) and Sven Botman (Newcastle) made correct predictions.
Liverpool immediately took control, with captain Virgil van Dijk in the starting line-up but Gakpo and Ryan Gravenberch on the bench. Darwin Núñez seemed to be successful as a reporter after missing several opportunities. However, the Uruguayan player did this in an offside position.
So no goal for Luis Diaz, who was beaten by Newcastle’s Dutchman Botman a few minutes later and won a penalty for Liverpool. It turned out that this was not the case for Mohamed Salah. The Egyptian, who had missed three of the previous nine penalties, shot past goalkeeper Martin Dúbravka, whereupon Trent Alexander-Arnold sent the rebound over the goal.
Things looked to be getting worse for the home team when Dan Burn returned home. However, an offside call was also made before Newcastle’s goal. Shortly before half-time Alexander-Arnold came close to scoring a sensational goal. He almost hit the defensive line from outside the penalty area. The ball flew over Dúbravka and into the top corner but hit the front post.
Liverpool left the dressing room frustrated in the second half, just four minutes after Salah had scored. The throw-in, following a quick and fluid counter-attack, was his 150th goal in the Premier League, all scored for the same club.
The “Reds” wanted to win, but Salah and Núñez twice met the excellent Dúbravka. So not 2-0, but a little later 1-1. Former Willem II player Alexander Isak saved himself from offside and scored a calm goal.
Liverpool did not let this negative situation discourage them and strongly sought new leadership. But Dúbravka continued to dominate, including Gakpo’s shot which, like Gravenberch, came in shortly after the equaliser.
Gakpo and Botman’s score
In the 73rd minute, Dúbravka had to admit defeat for the second time. Salah’s through pass was extended by Diogo Jota and given to Curtis Jones, who effortlessly scored the first goal of the season: 2-1.
After a few minutes it seemed like the final blow had come to the guests. And Salah played a big part again, this time whipping in a wonderful low cross from the far left that Gakpo turned goalwards with some luck. But once again there was a quick response from the Netherlands: Botman headed in from the corner and made the score 3-2.
The repeated tension did not last long. Liverpool were allowed to take a second penalty after Dúbravka fouled Jota. Despite his earlier miss, Salah calmly got behind the ball again and kept his composure: 4:2.
This was the Egyptian’s last contribution to Liverpool for now. He will be seen in the national team jersey at the African Cup of Nations from mid-January.
Source: NOS
I’m George Gonzalez, a professional journalist and author at The Nation View. With more than 5 years of experience in the field, I specialize in covering sports news for various print media outlets. My passion for writing has enabled me to craft stories that capture the attention of readers all over the world.
