Mohamed Salah scored twice as Liverpool eventually broke down Newcastle United 4-2 to open up a three-point lead at the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool took swing after swing at Merseyside but looked in danger of being held to a third consecutive Anfield draw after a goalless first half.
Salah’s first strike was his 150th Premier League goal for the Reds, but it was cancelled out five minutes later by Alexander Isak, who got in behind the hosts’ defence after good work by Anthony Gordon and curled home.
Liverpool pressed hard to go in front again and eventually Curtis Jones gave them the lead before a scuffed Cody Gapko effort from a brilliant Salah pass gave them breathing space.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has had to deal with a torrid run of injuries during the busiest part of the season and he came into this game with club captain Kieran Trippier also absent with a groin injury.
Salah will be out of the remaining games this January for the Africa Cup of Nations tournament where he plays for Egypt