Newcastle United legend Alan Shearer could only laugh at Diogo Jota's embarrassing dive as Liverpool beat the Magpies 4-1 at Anfield.

Eddie Howe's side have kicked 2024 off with a defeat, meaning they have now lost three consecutive games in the Premier League.

Newcastle were second best against Liverpool on Monday night, as Jurgen Klopp's side created chance after chance. Their victory should have been much more comfortable, but they came across an inspired Martin Dubravka, who produced his best performance since coming back into the side. He had been struggling, but was excellent at Anfield.

The 34-year-old faced two penalties, both of which were controversially given. He saved the first from Mo Salah, which was given after Luis Diaz went to ground easily. It was an infuriating decision, but the second one was even worse.

With Sven Botman making it 3-2 with 10 minutes to go, Newcastle had a chance to rescue an unlikely point. However, the game looked like it was going to be put to bed when Jota raced through on goal.

The Liverpool forward took the ball round the onrushing Dubravka, leaving him with an open goal. However, Jota instead went to ground after the tiniest bit of contact from the Toon goalkeeper. It was not enough for him to go down, yet referee Anthony Taylor decided to give a second spot kick of the game.

Mo Salah converted, meaning it was not the nervy end to the game that it could have been.

Alan Shearer and Ian Wright react to Jota's dive against Newcastle While Liverpool were deserving winners, the goal that put the victory beyond doubt was disgraceful.

That is the view of Toon legend Alan Shearer, who provided his reaction to the penalty that Jota won via his official X account.

He wrote: "What a great dive that is."

Shearer's sentiment was shared by Ian Wright, who also thought it was a terrible decision.

He wrote on X: "Would rather go down for a penalty than put the ball in an empty net! Seen it all!"

Jota dive denied Newcastle a chance to rescue a point What Jota did was embarrassing. He had an open goal, yet decided to throw himself to the ground. He conned the referee, and VAR opted against intervening.

It was a frustrating night for Newcastle, who did not do enough to deserve a point. However, some of the decisions from the officials were difficult to stomach, and made a tough game all the more excruciating.

At 3-2, Newcastle had a chance. But that chance was robbed away by a blatant act of cheating.