Newcastle United fell to a third successive defeat over the Christmas and New Year period as they were comprehensively beaten by Liverpool at Anfield on Monday night.

Goals from Alexander Isak and Sven Botman weren't enough for the Toon, as a Mohamed Salah double and efforts from Cody Gakpo and Curtis Jones secured a 4-2 win for Jurgen Klopp's side. 

Eddie Howe's injury issues came to the fore once again at Anfield, with experienced duo Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson both missing from the squad.

The defensive stability from last season has not continued into the new campaign, and Liverpool created chance after chance on New Year's Day, accumulating over seven expected goals - the highest in Premier League history. 

Somehow, it was level at half-time, as Martin Dubravka saved Salah's penalty after Luis Diaz was tripped, with Trent Alexander-Arnold somehow sending the rebound over the bar.

The right-back then hit the post with a ferocious volley from a near-impossible angle, with Newcastle's goal seemingly living a charmed life.

However, they wouldn't hold out for long in the second period, as Salah tapped into an empty net from Darwin Nunez's pass in the 49th minute. 

Howe's side countered and found an equaliser on 54 minutes, as Anthony Gordon did brilliantly down the left to play in Isak, and the Swedish forward finished brilliantly past Alisson. 

The hosts missed a host of chances before the brilliant Salah unlocked their defence with a sublime through ball for Diogo Jota, and he squared for Jones to score into an empty net. 

It seemed to be game over when Gakpo scored on 79 minutes from another sumptuous Salah cross, but Botman gave Newcastle hope when he headed in Sean Longstaff's corner two minutes later.

Liverpool's world-class depth made the difference though, as Jota was set free by a wonderful ball from subsitute Alexis Mac Allister, and he rounded Dubravka before falling over, a suspicious amount of time after the contact from Newcastle's shot-stopper. 

Salah didn't make the same mistake again and tucked away the penalty to keep Liverpool top, while Newcastle drop to ninth.