Liverpool is stepping it up and becoming a real contender for the crown, as seen by their joint-most shots on goal this season and the highest predicted goals in Premier League history.
After Fabinho and Jordan Henderson left, they essentially rebuilt their midfield during the frantic summer transfer window, thus manager Jurgen Klopp most likely did not anticipate his team leading the standings on the first day of 2024.
However, they are following only one loss in their first 20 games.
With a resolute and chaotic 4-2 victory over Newcastle in the stormy rain and wind at Anfield, Liverpool now leads second-place Aston Villa by three points.
They trail Arsenal and the reigning champion Manchester City by five points, with a game remaining.
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher commented on Sky Sports, "That is Liverpool's best performance of the season."
"Very significant for Liverpool. Major outcome. That was a very amazing performance.
"There's been a lot of Premier League seasons but I can't think of too many that have been as thrilling at the halfway stage as we have now, and so many teams in the title race."
"If you told Klopp at the beginning of the season that they would be a few points clear at the top, they wouldn't have believed, but now they can start to believe," said former Manchester United defender Gary Neville.
"Just by virtue of their location, they have the potential to be champions. Their world-class players number three or four, and their boss is an incredible manager who understands how to do it.
"If they get into that run-in, they'll probably be the one team that Manchester City don't want against them because they know they've actually beat them before."
"What a boom!"
Liverpool and Newcastle attempted a combined league-high 34 shots, and their xG of 7.27 was the highest in a Premier League match since records went back to 2010–11.
They have only lost one of their last 52 home league games, have won 22 games at Anfield, and were unwavering throughout.
"My team played a fantastic game," Klopp said to BBC Sport. "Excellent match. The only thing I didn't enjoy about the game was the goals we gave up."
"There was only one winner tonight," he said to Sky Sports. That's how football is.
"The game was great but for the two goals we gave up. What a fireworks display.
We maneuvered through, around, and behind Newcastle during our play. Opportunities presented themselves to us everywhere."
To what extent will Salah, the "goal-scoring machine," be lost?
With Mohamed Salah traveling with Egypt to the Africa Cup of Nations, Liverpool will now play a string of games without him.
Salah may miss eight games for Liverpool if Egypt advances in the FA Cup, since the competition's final is set for February 11.
Arsenal will play in the Premier League on February 4th and the FA Cup third round on Sunday.
In addition, there are league matches against Bournemouth, Chelsea, and Burnley as well as the two-leg Carabao Cup semifinal matchup versus Fulham.
With eighteen goals in all competitions this season, Salah leads Liverpool in scoring. In addition, he has eight goals established for teammates.
He scored twice and reached 150 goals in the Premier League for Liverpool against Newcastle, even though he missed a penalty in the first half. Klopp called him a "goalscoring machine".
Salah will undoubtedly be a major loss for Klopp's team, but they have performed admirably without him in the past.
Since Salah arrived in 2017–18, they have won all 10 of the Premier League games in which he has not played.
Salah stated to Sky Sports, "I want to win [the Africa Cup of Nations]." "Playing for the national team is really important to me. I can't afford to take anything for granted. It would be wonderful to win."
Salah continues, "We have some really good players," and claims that Liverpool will be able to manage without him. There are guys on our team that can fill my role.
"We have strong beliefs. On the pitch, we must put forth a lot of effort and express ourselves. We can keep winning if we can do it."
