He was never leaving quietly. Mohamed Salah signed off for the Africa Cup of Nations with two goals and an assist as Liverpool eased three points clear at the Premier League summit against a deflated Newcastle. Jürgen Klopp is already counting the days until he returns. Salah’s final Liverpool appearance before representing Egypt in Ivory Coast was a test of the leaders’ composure and resources at the end of a demanding festive schedule. They passed convincingly on both counts.
Victory was ultimately comfortable against a Newcastle team that unravelled defensively as the game wore on, and would have been far more comprehensive but for a Salah penalty miss and fine goalkeeping from Martin Dubravka. But it was also a fierce examination of Liverpool at times.
