Liverpool moved three points clear in the Premier League title race after beating Newcastle 4-2 in a pulsating game they dominated but only sealed late on.
Jurgen Klopp's relentless side posted 34 shots in the match to a backdrop of 7.27 of expected goals - the most created by one side in a Premier League game since Opta started recording the data in 2010.
But it was never a straightforward evening as Newcastle were level at 1-1 with 16 minutes to play after Alexander Isak had cancelled out Mohamed Salah's opener.
Salah had already missed a first-half penalty by that point while Darwin Nunez wasted two big chances from his eight shots at goal as Liverpool inexplicably failed to edge in front.
However, Curtis Jones finally put the hosts in front before Cody Gakpo doubled the cushion moments later.
Somehow, despite the one-sided nature of the stats, Newcastle got within one goal when Sven Botman headed home but Salah scored from the penalty spot after Diogo Jota controversially went down with the goal gaping.
Liverpool start 2024 with a bang. They are the ones to catch..
Match Events
0' The match is about to start!
2' CLOSE! Arnold’s shot wide out
16' CHANCE! Darwin header over the bar
18' OFFSIDE! Diaz’s goal disallowed
22' Penalty Missed! (Salah)
25' Jones misses a golden chance!
28' Yellow Card! Guimaraes booked
36' OFFSIDE! Dan’s goal disallowed
40' OFF THE POST! Arnold nearly scores for Liverpool！
45' Yellow Card! Luis Díaz booked
49' GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle (Salah)
50' Yellow Card! Alexander-Arnold booked
54' GOAL! Liverpool 1-1 Newcastle (Isak)
74' GOAL! Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle (Curtis Jones)
78' GOAL! Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle (Cody Gakpo)
81' GOAL! Liverpool 3-2 Newcastle (Sven Botman)
86' Penalty Goal! Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle (Salah)
Line-ups
Liverpool XI: Alisson, W. Endo, Salah, Van Dijk, Joe Gomez, Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Dominik Szoboszlai, Luis Díaz, Darwin Núñez, Curtis Jones
Subs: Jota, Kelleher, Cody Gakpo, Mac Allister, Gravenberch, Elliott, Jarell Quansah, Conor Bradley, James McConnell
Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Schar, Burn, Joelinton, Guimaraes, Isak, Sean Longstaff, Gordon, Tino Livramento, Sven Botman, Lewis Miley
Subs: Ritchie, Mark Gillespie, Krafth, Lascelles, Loris Karius, Dummett, Almiron, Lewis Hall, Alex Murphy