Premier League games between Newcastle United and Liverpool have a big reputation that largely rests on a humdinger of a game at Anfield back in the 1995/96 season that ended 4-3 to Liverpool, leaving then-Newcastle boss Kevin Keegan slumped over the advertising hoardings in despair.
Today’s game had an added level of intrigue due to Rafa Benitez, the popular former Liverpool boss, going up against his old club. His Newcastle lineup also featured two former Liverpool men in the shape of Javier Manquillo and Jonjo Shelvey. Current Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, meanwhile, sprung a surprise by dropping Roberto Firmino to the bench and giving Daniel Sturridge a start up front. It suggested he was confident of getting some goals – and perhaps with good reason, as these two sides had not played out a goalless draw since 1974.
TEAM NEWS: Here's how Newcastle United will line up against @LFC in the @premierleague this afternoon (kick-off 4:30pm BST). #NUFC pic.twitter.com/IDxFV5qV3I
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) October 1, 2017
The #LFC team to face @NUFC. pic.twitter.com/0QROMHSXYv
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 1, 2017
The Jonjo Shelvey, fired up as expected, delivered the first effort on target for the home side, but his curling effort from the edge of the box was tame, at straight at Simon Mignolet. Newcastle, in fact, started on the front foot, roared on by a raucous home crowd. But clear-cut chances were tough to come by, and soon enough Liverpool took control thanks to their neat passing play but found the Magpies to be a well-organised adversary. Sturridge had a glimpse of goal after a brilliant first-time pass by Coutinho, but his shot was blocked by Jamaal Lascelles. Mo Salah was next to try, sent through on goal on a counter attack before DeAndre Yedlin prevented a shot on goal.
Liverpool should have taken the lead in the 23rd minute. Former Newcastle man Gini Wijanldum attacked a near post corner and hit the bar. The rebound resulted in a goalmouth scramble, Dejan Lovren had a goalbound shot hacked off the line and Sadio Mane then hit a shot wide. On the sidelines, Jurgen Klopp looked perplexed as to how that ball stayed out.
With the clocking ticking towards thirty minutes gone, Liverpool were struggling to get through Newcastle’s back line. But then, Philippe Coutinho decided to show up. Cutting in from the left flank and threading his way through black-and-white striped bodies, he unleashed a trademark 25-yard shot to beat Rob Elliot.
A 1-0 lead, though, is never a safe one. Particularly not with Liverpool’s well-known defensive problems. They committed hari-kari just a few minutes after going ahead. Shelvey picked up the ball deep in midfield and spotted a yawning chasm in between the Reds’ two centre backs. He pinged a quarterback-esque pass into the gap for Joselu to run onto. Joel Matip got back but only succeeded in kicking the ball against the Spaniard’s leg – the ball still trickled inside the far post. The goal was certainly against the run of play, and it meant the score at half time was 1-1.
Klopp sent his Liverpool troops out early for the second half, presumably with some harsh words ringing in their ears. They started brightly and should have gone ahead after Ciaran Clark proved that defensive errors aren’t solely Liverpool’s thing by making a hash of a routine clearance. The ball went back over his head, putting Sturridge through on goal. Elliot parried his shot, and Salah fired the rebound over. Newcastle tried to rally and Christian Atsu caused some problems down the left hand side, haring into the box until he was stopped by Matip.
It seemed that Newcastle, set up smartly by Benitez, would be able to hold a more talented Liverpool team by tactical organisation alone. A switch that saw Salah move to the number 10 role saw him cause some problems, but Elliot in the Newcastle goal was still largely a spectator. Liverpool were having more possession, but there was no sense that they were fully in control and just waiting to turn the screw. Sometimes, goals feel inevitable, but this was not one of those times. Klopp turned to the bench for inspiration, bringing on Firmino and youngster Dominic Solanke for Sturridge and Mane – neither of whom had much influence during their time on the pitch.
A looping Lovren header from a corner forced Shelvey into a clearance under his own crossbar, soon after, Solake stretched for a diving header that went just wide. Pressure on the Newcastle defence was ever-increasing, but they were managing to hold out. In fact, the Magpies could have snatched the win. A stoppage time corner fell to substitute Mo Diame in space in the area – but he seemed surprised to even have the chance, and his shot hit Lovren and bounced into Mignolet’s grateful arms. That was the last bit of excitement in the game, which ended 1-1, and left Klopp staring at a run of just one win in seven games in all competitions. Here’s the Game in 10 Tweets.
Game in 10 Tweets
2417 – By the year 2417, Sky Sports will stop going on about that 4-3 game between Liverpool & Newcastle in 1996. Collymoreclosinginnnnn.
— OptaJoke (@OptaJoke) October 1, 2017
I for one can't see why Liverpool are struggling to keep clean sheets with a midfield of Henderson, Wijnaldum and Coutinho in front of that back five 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
— The Football Ramble (@FootballRamble) October 1, 2017
🤔 Jurgen Klopp is trying to work out how #LFC haven't just scored… pic.twitter.com/j2cNtla4Eo
— Sky Bet (@SkyBet) October 1, 2017
All this match at St James' Park needs is half a dozen goals, evenly distributed, to be the perfect Premier League spectacle.
— Richard Williams (@rwilliams1947) October 1, 2017
Philippe Coutinho has scored more Premier League goals from outside the box (17) since 2012/13 than any other player.
Trademark strike. pic.twitter.com/wgOzMTQLQx
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 1, 2017
GOAL Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool (36 mins)
Matip's clearance takes a deflection off of Joselu and rolls into the net for the equaliser#NEWLIV
— Premier League (@premierleague) October 1, 2017
Death ✔
Taxes ✔
Terrible Liverpool defending ✔— Dean Jones (@DeanJonesBR) October 1, 2017
Liverpool fans: Our back line is embarrassing…
Ciaran Clark: Hold my beer.
— Kristian Sturt (@FootieWriter) October 1, 2017
We have no composure on the ball or control of this game.
— Sam McGuire (@SamMcGuire90) October 1, 2017
More points dropped for Liverpool. Their next game after the international break? Just the small matter of Manchester United at Anfield. pic.twitter.com/yS9aRem43a
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) October 1, 2017
Don’t forget to follow us on Twitter @JustFootball and Facebook for more football news, features, and analysis.
The post Newcastle United 1-1 Liverpool: Game in 10 Tweets as Rafa Benitez holds his old club to a draw appeared first on Just Football.