Liverpool 4 Newcastle United 0: Salah strikes again to punish City loss as Klopp reaches 100 wins

Jurgen Klopp brought up 100 wins as Liverpool manager thanks to a 4-0 home defeat of Newcastle United in the Premier League on Boxing Day.

Klopp's 181st game in charge saw Liverpool take an early Boxing Day lead at Anfield.

Mohamed Salah scored again to help stretch Liverpool's Premier League lead to six points, as a 4-0 home win over Newcastle United gave Jurgen Klopp his 100th Reds victory.

Klopp's 181st game in charge saw Liverpool take an early Boxing Day lead at Anfield, Dejan Lovren smashing in a superb half-volley to set up its eighth straight Premier League win.

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And when Salah stepped up to convert a penalty he won himself immediately after the restart, Rafael Benitez's side was heading to defeat on his Anfield return.

Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho added late goals for the rampant host and Manchester City's 2-1 loss at Leicester City means the 2017-18 champion falls further behind Klopp's men ahead of their clash at the Etihad Stadium on January 3, with Tottenham moving up to second after thrashing Bournemouth.

#LIVNEWpic.twitter.com/0fV7fSRNqh

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2018

Scratchy start

Joselu and Shaqiri missed clear chances in an open start at Anfield, with Liverpool taking the lead in the 11th minute.

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A diabolical clearing header from Jamaal Lascelles fell straight to Lovren, who smashed a wonderful half-volleyed finish high into the roof of the net.

Martin Dubravka denied Sadio Mane and then made a fine save to keep out a deflected Shaqiri free-kick before the interval.

But Liverpool extended its advantage two minutes after the restart, Salah beating Dubravka from the penalty spot after he was tugged on the arm by Paul Dummett.

And with City dropping points again, Liverpool gave its fans an ideal late Christmas present when Shaqiri tapped in a Trent Alexander-Arnold cross and Fabinho headed in Salah's corner for a close-range fourth.

#LIVNEWpic.twitter.com/MPkqNYW1KJ

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 26, 2018

 

What does it mean? Reds in ominous form

Newcastle named a weakened side with its eyes on a trip to Watford, with Liverpool not needing to get out of second gear.

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With City suddenly stumbling the Reds are in a dominant position at the top of the table, although much can change over the second half of the season.

What's next?

Premier League games keep coming thick and fast with Liverpool hosting Arsenal on Saturday, when Newcastle goes to Watford.