Mohamed Salah endured a miserable evening on Tyneside as battling Newcastle fought their way to a goalless draw with Premier League champions Liverpool.
The Egypt international missed the target either side of half-time with just keeper Karl Darlow to beat, and strike-partner Roberto Firmino, who saw two headers superbly saved, was similarly profligate at St James’ Park.
Three days after lowly West Brom struck late to snatch a point at Anfield, Jurgen Klopp’s men – who have now won only two of their eight league away games this season – were frustrated once again, although it took a late goal-line clearance from Fabian Schar and Darlow’s brilliance to keep them at bay.
But it was Salah who once again should have broken the deadlock with 66 minutes gone when he was played in by Firmino but after steadying himself, directed his effort past the upright.
Firmino was equally wasteful when presented with a glorious chance at the far post three minutes later as Newcastle rode their luck.
It very nearly got much better for the Magpies 11 minutes from time when Ciaran Clark met Matt Ritchie’s free-kick with a downward header which Alisson had to turn away.
But Schar hacked the ball off his own line ahead of Mane seconds later and Darlow brilliantly clawed away another Firmino header at the death to preserve his clean sheet.
