SALAH SINKS RAFA
Mo joins Kane at top of scoring charts as livewire Liverpool deliver cutting-edge victory for Klopp
MO SALAH joined Harry Kane at the top of the Premier League scoring charts as Liverpool comfortably notched their 10th win in 13 games to leapfrog Manchester United into second place.
Salah showed his customary calm to put Liverpool ahead after 40 minutes when he transferred the ball from right foot to left before slotting home.
It was with his 24th League goal of the season, and 32nd of the campaign in all competitions. Liverpool’s superiority was reflected by a second goal after half-time by Sadio Mane as Newcastle were left hovering two points above the relegation zone as their own four-match unbeaten run ended.
Winnable home games against Southampton, Huddersfield and West Brom now look key for Rafael Benitez and his team after last night’s tactic of damage limitation was ultimately of no use. Certainly not to combat Salah, who must now be a serious rival to Kevin De Bruyne as the Premier League’s best performer this season.
Newcastle had not won at Anfield since Steve Watson scored a League Cup winner in 1995 when they were managed by former Kop hero Kevin Keegan. Benitez was yesterday’s returner to Merseyside where he is fondly remembered for delivering the 2005 Champions League.
With every point precious in the fight to avoid relegation, it was no surprise to see the black-and-white stripes lined up in organised fashion to try and stop Liverpool’s Fab Three of Roberto Firmino, Mane and Salah. Liverpool’s early possession saw them driven into cul-de-sacs with a frustrated Firmino miskicking wide after a patient build-up had got his side nowhere.
Salah optimistically shouted for a penalty when his fiercely-struck shot hit Paul Dummett’s hands. But referee Graham Scott could see clearly the Newcastle defender was holding them in front of his face for protection.
The Egyptian then tried an outrageous half-volley from the angle of the penalty area. In his current form, you wouldn’t have been surprised if it had burst the back of the net, but this time it ripped into the side-netting.
Benitez’s tactic of leaving Dwight Gayle up front with everyone else funnelling behind the ball achieved its aim of quietening the crowd. There were a few groans when Andy Robertson had to pass back to goalkeeper Loris Karius to build an attack from the very back.
Defender Dejan Lovren had the best chance of the opening half-hour but the Croatian headed into the ground when left unmarked at a corner. Toon goalkeeper Martin Dubravka fisted the ball back to Lovren, whose second attempt from six yards was smartly blocked by Mikel Moreno.
Salah then tried to wriggle his way into a shooting position after smart work by