Liverpool coach, Arne Slot was disappointed with the team’s performance in the first half of the 3-3 draw against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Wednesday.
The Reds struggled to get going in the first half of the encounter, going behind through Alexander Isak’s stunning effort.
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The visitors improved in the second half when Curtis Jones scored the equaliser before Anthony Gordon increased Newcastle United’s lead in the 62nd minute.
Mohammed Salah scored a brace to give Liverpool a 3-2 lead, Newcastle United fought back in the 90th minute through Fabian Schar to snatch a 3-3 draw.
As a result of the draw, Liverpool’s lead has been cut to seven as they approach the busy schedule in December.
Slot was not pleased with the team’s performance in the first half.
He said: “I have mixed feelings, we were outstanding in the second half but we were not good enough in the first half. Maybe 3-3 is what the game deserved.
“They were really aggressive and forced us into mistakes but we were so much better in the second half. I knew the game could be changed around, we were much better with the ball.
“After the week we had we could change the game which is a very positive thing to take. Every time we need Mo Salah he scores a goal. We are hoping and expecting he can continue this for a long time. He was outstanding in the second half, he did many special things for us.
Slot also expects Mohammed Salah to continue at the club for a long time following another impressive performance against Newcastle.
The 32-year-old scored a brace and recorded one assist to further underline his importance to the team, but he will be out of contract in the summer.
He said: “Every time we need Mo Salah he scores a goal.
“We are hoping and expecting he can continue this for a long time. He was outstanding in the second half, he did many special things for us.
“He plays in a very good team that provides him with good opportunities and then he is able to do special things. What makes him even more special for me is before we scored for 1-1 you thought, ‘He is not playing his best game today,’ but then to come up with a half-hour with an assist, two goals, having a shot against the bar and being a constant threat, that is something not many players can do if they’ve played the first hour like he did.
“So, that is also what makes him special, apart from if you just look at the goals. His finishing is so clinical. A special player, but that’s what we all know.”
Salah has scored in each of his past seven Premier League matches. He has bagged 325 goals, and assists in 370 games for Liverpool since joining from Roma in 2017.
Liverpool will be hoping to bounce back from the disappointing result with a trip to Everton on Saturday.