Another defeat for Eddie Howe's Newcastle United, who showed spirit to fight back but were ultimately outplayed in a game where Liverpool could've quite easily scored six or seven.

It's our seventh defeat in our last eight and takes us to 15 goals conceded in our last six league games. Martin Dubravka played a blinder and made 10 saves (including one to deny Salah from the spot) to keep the score semi-respectable, as Liverpool had 34 shots - more than any Premier League side has mustered this season - and recorded the highest-ever xG (7.20) since records began.

It was never going to be easy and we didn't give up - I couldn't question our commitment - but it was quite alarming how regularly they cut through our midfield or got behind our defence. We looked a yard off the pace, underconfident on the ball and our approach against a Liverpool side notorious for their pressing and quality on the counter felt naive. They are a top side, we just gave them far too much space and could've lost by cricket score..

That being said, the nature of their fourth is an absolute disgrace and needs investigating. Replays showed Jota dived well after any challenge from Dubravka, yet it was quite clear that there was no contact, making the decision to award the penalty all the more mystifying.

We could've lost 8-2 tonight, but to see cheating rewarded and the matched settled on that infuriating, especially when Endo's trip on Longstaff wasn't even given a second thought by VAR just seconds before Jones made it 2-1 Liverpool.

Howe made two changes from the 3-1 defeat to Forest. Joelinton replaced Miguel Almiron in attack and Tino Livramento came back into the side, with Kieran Trippier missing from the squad alongside Callum Wilson and Jamaal Lascelles back on the bench.

It was all Liverpool in the opening minutes. They were clearly at it, but we couldn't get out, creating so many of our own problems thanks to poor giveaways and a wide-open midfield that was giving the Reds far too much space to feed their front men.

After Alexander-Arnold saw a shot deflect just wide and Miley had a rare opening blocked well, Dubravka pulled off the first of many saves by reacting quickly to Nunez's near-post flick. The next was from the penalty spot, as the Slovakian stood tall to beat away Mo Salah's poor penalty after Diaz went down (or should I say 'dived') to make the most of Botman's lunging tackle.

A big relief and wake-up call, but we had to seriously improve if we wanted to stay level. They were bypassing our midfield too easily and more openings came their way. Thankfully, Nunez couldn't pounce on Botman's air-kick and Dubravka made another key save.

We did have a decent period around the half-hour mark, where it was our turn to break clear and run at their defence, yet our final ball was often lacking, with the isolated Isak and an out of sorts Gordon struggling to pick the right pass or get a shot of any conviction off.

Burn did have a goal disallowed after heading home at the back post, but it was rightfully chalked off as Isak strayed just beyond Konate in the build-up to Miley's lovely cross. A flurry of yellow cards followed - one being Bruno's eighth of the season - and we somehow got into the break at 0-0.

It was another frantic start to the half, although this time it kicked off with the goal that had been coming. Burn was dragged across the pitch, Liverpool exploited the space and Salah tapped into an empty net from Nunez's low pass across the box.

1-0 Liverpool and it was almost 2-0 minutes later after Salah and Nunez forced Dubravka into his sixth and seventh saves, but we responded out of nowhere. Almiron replaced Miley, seeing Gordon move back to the left, and our number 10 made an immediate impact after switching wings, as Isak held his nerve to convert his ball in behind. 1-1!

I had no idea how we were level heading into the final 30 minutes and we had Dubravka to thank AGAIN as he made another huge save, this time to deny Gakpo. But Liverpool's dominance and our dire defending proved costly, as Jota squared for Jones to make it 2-1 before Salah set up Gakpo to make it three. Moments of quality for both goals, yes, but so much statuesque defending and a midfield that were caught in no man's land.

Then, just as we responded to Liverpool's opener, a goal out of nowhere came our way, as a corner was nodded in by Botman to make it 3-2. Again, it felt surreal we were still in the game we deserved nothing from, yet our chance to salvage a late draw was spoilt by an utterly disgraceful piece of refereeing. Jota went down under a 'challenge' from Dubravka, yet replays showed no contact and a blatant dive. The decision after a VAR review? A penalty. What a farce. Needless to say, Salah stepped up and buried it this time round and that was that. 4-2 Liverpool.

Yes, the Reds deserved all three points and played us off the park - they had enough chances to win three games, never mind three points - but that late decision was a total shambles.

Next up, just an away trip to Sunderland on Saturday in the FA Cup. Based on our recent results and the tough fixtures to come, it feels like a must-win to save our spiralling season.

STARTING 11: Dubravka - Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn (c) - Miley, Bruno, Longstaff - Gordon, Isak, Joelinton.

SUBS: Karius, Gillespie, Dummett, Lascelles, Ritchie, Krafth, Hall, Almiron, A.Murphy.