Liverpool Set Premier League Expected Goals Record During Dominant Display Against Newcastle

Liverpool's Expected Goals figure in Monday's 4-2 win over Newcastle was the highest on record in a Premier League game. Liverpool had an xG total of 7.27.

Liverpool's Expected Goals figure in Monday's 4-2 win over Newcastle was the highest on record in a Premier League game.

The Reds' xG total was 7.27, while Newcastle's was just 0.59.

Liverpool recorded 34 shots at Anfield, where Newcastle keeper Martin Dubravka made 10 saves, including one to block a Mo Salah penalty kick in the first half.

What Is Expected Goals (xG)?

A team's xG figure is basically an indication of how many goals should have been scored based on the volume and quality of the chances created.

As explained by stats specialists Opta, "Expected goals (or xG) measures the quality of a chance by calculating the likelihood that it will be scored by using information on similar shots in the past."

This type of statistic is still fairly new, with data only going back as far as the start of the 2010/11 season.

1 - With an Expected Goals figure of 7.27 this evening, Liverpool recorded the highest xG total on record (since 2010-11) in a single Premier League game. Bombarded. pic.twitter.com/a0Fy24HHGz

— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) January 1, 2024

Monday's win over Newcastle saw Liverpool move three points clear of Aston Villa at the top of the Premier League table.

Salah scored two goals for the Reds. One of those goals came from a penalty, which he boldly opted to take despite his earlier failure from the spot.

The 31-year-old has now taken 30 penalties in his Premier League career and scored directly from 24 of them.

Liverpool beat Newcastle 4-2 in the Premier League on Monday but could have won by a much wider margin :: IMAGO/Propaganda Photo/David Rawcliffe