Martin Dubravka equals save record in Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
Newcastle goalkeeper Martin Dubravka equalled the most number of saves in a Premier League game this season, as Liverpool beat Newcastle 4-2 on New Year's Day.
The Reds eventually ran out winners at a rain-drenched Anfield, but were made to work for their victory in a thrilling contest.
After a goalless first half, in which Mohamed Salah missed a penalty and both sides had strikes ruled out, Jurgen Klopp's men found a breakthrough.
Salah bagged a brace (including one from the spot), with Curtis Jones and Cody Gakpo scoring the other two.
However, despite the hosts dominance, the scoreline was never comfortable, with Alexander Isak and Sven Botman both netting for the visitors against the run of play.
Incredibly, Liverpool ended the game with a whopping 34 shots and an expected goals total of 7.27 – a Premier League record.
The main reason the game didn't end up in double figures for the Reds was Dubravka who made ten saves on the night – including a first-half penalty stop.
As noted by Opta, the Slovak keeper's tally is the joint most of any keeper in a Premier League game in 2023/24.
Dubravka's total of ten is still some way short of the overall top-flight record, which is held by David de Gea in Manchester United's 3-1 win over Arsenal back in 2017.
Still the keeper's display drew admiration on social media, with many Liverpool fans grudgingly impressed.
Speaking after the final whistle, the Newcastle keeper admitted the game had been 'very entertaining' for the fans.
He told Sky Sports: "A crazy match. Both sides created chances. I was there to try to help my team-mates, unfortunately they created so many chances and were clinical.
"I think it was very entertaining for the fans, they couldn't wish for a better match.
"We tried to create chances and score goals but unfortunately they had more chances. You can see the desire from our team to get something from the match. It was a tight game in the first half, but in the second half they created so many chances."
Dubravka was at fault late on when he was judged to have brought down Diogo Jota through on goal, with Salah converting the resulting penalty to make it 4-2.
The incident was the source of some controversy with pundits and fans disagreeing on whether there was enough contact for Jota to go down. However, Dubravka himself conceded it was a penalty.
He said: "My arms are not trying to catch him. I don't have to agree but, at the end of the day, it was a penalty."
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