WATCH: EXTENDED HIGHLIGHT : Liverpool vs Newcastle Our (4: 2) Victory over Newcastle. With goals from, MO Salah, Curtis Cody Gakpo

Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool eventually broke down Newcastle United to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

In a relentless and frantic game, fuelled by wicked rain and wind on Merseyside, Liverpool took swing after swing at Newcastle but looked in danger of being held to a third consecutive Anfield draw after a goalless first half.

While Newcastle can point to their injuries, Howe will also know his side have only earned five points away from St James’ Park so far this season and have only kept one clean sheet in their past 19 away games.

They play just three games in January – which could be four if they beat local rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup third round on Saturday – and Howe will hope the winter break allows him to get players fit as they look to qualify for Europe again.

“We’re battling to get our best levels back,” Howe told BBC Sport. “The effort and determination was there. As long as we continue to see that we’ll be fine.

“The most important thing is we’re fighting. We’re missing a lot of players, we’ve had a lot of tough fixtures in a congested December.”

Salah missed the opening period’s best chance when he had a penalty saved but the forward, who will now join Egypt at the Africa Cup of Nations, tapped home a cross for the first and then converted a second spot-kick in the closing stages.

His first strike was his 150th Premier League goal for the Reds, but it was cancelled out five minutes later by Alexander Isak, who got in behind the hosts’ defence after good work by Anthony Gordon and curled home.

Liverpool pressed hard to go in front again and eventually Curtis Jones gave them the lead before a scuffed Cody Gapko effort from a brilliant Salah pass gave them breathing space.

But back came Newcastle when Sven Botman headed home a corner to make it 3-2 before Salah sent Martin Dubravka – who was heroic throughout – the wrong way to secure the points.

Liverpool won their opening seven Premier League games at Anfield this season but had been held to draws by Manchester United and Arsenal in their previous two home games.

They lead Aston Villa by three points a

Player of the match

Squad number66Player nameAlexander-Arnold

Average rating

6.13

Line-ups

Match Stats

Live Text

Home TeamLiverpoolAway TeamNewcastle

Possession

Home62%Away38%

Shots

Home34Away5

Shots on Target

Home15Away3

Corners

Home7Away3

Fouls

Home16Away15

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