LIVERPOOL, United Kingdom (AFP)
— Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool stretched Newcastle's miserable run with a 4-2 victory at Anfield to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.

Jurgen Klopp's team should have run out even more convincing winners as Martin Dubravka saved Salah's first-half penalty among 10 stops.

But Salah made amends from the spot after he, Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo had netted in the second half to inflict a seventh defeat in eight games on Newcastle.

Liverpool head into the Premier League's winter break five points clear of title rivals Manchester City and Arsenal, with Aston Villa posing an unexpected challenge in second place.

"A special game, special night," Klopp said.

"It was a sensational game from my team. We started extremely lively. Everyone saw Dubravka or we ourselves made sure the score didn't get too clear."

"Super game. I loved so many aspects of the game bar the goals we conceded."

Newcastle, by contrast, remains down in ninth and 11 points off the top four as the spotlight grows on Eddie Howe.

The Magpies have the second worst away record in the Premier League this season with just five points from 10 games.

Howe's men were fortunate not to be blown away by an embarrassing scoreline in stormy conditions at Anfield as Liverpool registered the highest expected goals ever in a Premier League game of 7.53.

"We're battling to get our best levels back. The effort and determination were there. As long as we continue to see that we'll be fine," Howe said.

"We're missing a lot of players and we've had a lot of tough fixtures in a congested December."

Dubravka has struggled to deputize for the sidelined Nick Pope as Newcastle's form has slumped in recent weeks while battling an injury crisis.