Liverpool defeated Newcastle 4-2 thanks to an oppressive performance, although they should have scored more goals given that they broke the all-time xG record.

The Reds welcomed the New Year with a bang, coming out of the gates quickly and taking the battle to Newcastle with Anfield behind them.

However, even though all six goals were scored in the second half, the halftime siren went off with both teams tied at zero goals.

Regardless of Eddie Howe’s evaluation, Liverpool was the deserving winner since Mohamed Salah scored twice and Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo also scored.

They did, however, finish with the highest anticipated goals (xG) total in a Premier League game since records have been kept in 2010–11, which was 7.27.

The final scoreline on xG alone should have been 7-1, or 7.27-0.59, to the nearest whole number.

Monday, January 1, 2024, in Liverpool, England: Darwin Nunez during Liverpool FC vs. Newcastle United FC in the FA Premier League at Anfield. (Image via Propaganda/David Rawcliffe)

With 34 shots on goal, Jurgen Klopp’s team had more than any other team in the current Premier League season, including 18 in the first half.

Apart from Salah’s penalty in the first half (with an xG of 0.79), Darwin Nunez was, predictably, responsible for three of the biggest missed opportunities.

Nunez saw Martin Dubravka block an early attempt with an xG of 0.52 before fluffing another on the counter with an xG of 0.49 just before halftime.

Following the interval, Dubravka produced an incredible stop to deny the Uruguayan once more on a chance valued at 0.43 xG.

Trent Alexander-Arnold received an xG rating of 0.46 for his obvious miss on the rebound following Salah’s saved penalty.

With a cumulative xG of 2.69, the four opportunities plus the first penalty were worth nearly three goals in the world of xG.

Monday, January 1, 2024, Liverpool, England: Trent Alexander-Arnold misses after Mohamed Salah saves a penalty kick during Liverpool FC vs. Newcastle United FC in the FA Premier League at Anfield. (Image via Propaganda/David Rawcliffe)

Liverpool matched their season-high total of 34 shots on goal from the 0-0 draw with Manchester United at Newcastle. This was their joint-highest total to date.

The Reds’ average of 25.8 shots on goal per game over the past five games is much greater than their average of 16.1 shots on goal over the previous 24 games.

According to FBref, before Monday’s triumph, Liverpool’s season-high xG total was 3.3 in the 4-0 victory over LASK, with their worst performance coming from 0 goals from 2.3 xG versus Man United.

Naturally, the Reds broke that record against Newcastle, winning crucially despite strangely underperforming by 3.27 xG.