Jurgen Klopp praised Mohamed Salah as a ‘goal-scoring machine’ last night after the Egyptian delivered a brace and an assist to keep Liverpool top of the Premier League before departing for the Africa Cup of Nations.

Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo also scored for Liverpool in a dominant showing that saw them pile up 7.27 expected goals (xG) – the most ever in a Premier League game – as Klopp sang poetic about his outgoing talisman.

‘Mo is a goal scoring machine,’ Klopp remarked. ‘It is absolutely unique. Darwin (Nunez) had his opportunities as well. I’d say 99.9% of players would have completed it, but he opted to pass it (for Salah’s opener). ‘Special game, special evening.’

Salah missed a penalty in the first half, but changed his boots at halftime and attributed his second-half heroics to the superstitious act. ‘The guys talked in the locker room. We must remain cool. ‘I dropped the pen,’ Salah admitted.

“Do you want to leave for the national team with that performance?” I said at halftime. Not at all! So I had to concentrate hard, step up, and make a difference, which I did. I switched footwear. I just practiced with the other one I missed the pen with yesterday.

After Liverpool defeated Newcastle, Jurgen Klopp referred to Mohamed Salah as a “goal-scoring machine.”

The German was overjoyed with his team’s 4-2 triumph and described the game as a “special night.”

‘It’s not superstitious because I wear a lot of boots. But when I get the feeling it’s going to mess with my head… OK, go change your boots! But I don’t want to be thinking in the second half of this game, “I didn’t score with this.” So I just kept my mind quiet and concentrated on the game.’

When asked about a title run, Salah said, ‘We believe a lot. We have so much skill; all they have to do is work hard. They simply need to express themselves on the field and play football. If we can accomplish it and work hard, we will be a winning (team).’

Meanwhile, Eddie Howe stated that Kieran Trippier was out with a groin injury and that Callum Wilson will be sidelined for two more games. ‘It was a really fantastic performance from Liverpool, they made it extremely difficult for us,’ Newcastle manager Steve Bruce remarked.

‘Our spirit and devotion were at an all-time high; not our best performance, but a lot of effort. Today, we were bombarded with queries on their mobility and quality. They’re a squad that looks at you from every angle.’

Eddie Howe criticized his team’s performance but said he was pleased with their effort.