Newcastle United suffered a seventh defeat in eight games after losing 4-2 to Liverpool at Anfield.
All six goals came in the second-half. Mohamed Salah, who had a penalty saved by Martin Dubravka, netted a brace. Curtis Jones and substitute Cody Gakpo were also on the scoresheet.
Alexander Isak scored an equaliser and a Sven Botman header later made it 3-2 but the Magpies ultimately slipped to their ninth defeat of the 2023-24 campaign.
Eddie Howe named two changes to his starting XI, one of which was enforced with Kieran Trippier dropping out through injury. Tino Livramento started at right-back in his place. The other saw Miguel Almiron drop to the bench with Joelinton recalled.
Around 20 minutes in, Luis Diaz saw an opener fractionally ruled out for offside following a foot race with Dan Burn before Martin Dubravka saved Mohamed Salah's penalty. The spot-kick was awarded after Diaz went to ground under a challenge by Botman.
Newcastle themselves had a goal ruled when Burn headed home Lewis Miley's cross at the back post. Isak, however, was offside in the build-up.
Liverpool's pressure was relentless and they eventually broke through in the 49th minute through Salah. But United weren't behind for long though with Isak slotting past Alisson after being slipped in by Anthony Gordon.
The visitors got into a couple of promising positions going forward but struggled to contain the Reds. Jones made it 2-1 before Gakpo added a third.
Botman's header threatened to set up an interesting ending but Newcastle's hopes of comeback were dashed when Salah netted from the spot after Dubravka brought down Diogo Jota.
Here's our Newcastle player ratings from the defeat on Merseyside:
1. Martin Dubravka - 8
A busy evening, as you’d expect, and the Slovakian rose the challenge.Saved Mo Salah’s penalty and made countless of stops. Very unlucky concede four goals.
2. Tino Livramento - 5
Struggled to deal with the threat of Luis Diaz and Curtis Jones before playing Cody Gakpo onside for Liverpool’s third.
3. Fabian Schar - 6.5
Made a number of vital interceptions and clearances but struggled to deal with ball down the middle of the defence.
4. Sven Botman - 5.5
Scored a late header but it was an off day for Botman defensively. Conceded a first-half penalty.