Rafa Benitez’s return to Anfield wasn’t a happy one for the Merseyside faithful as Newcastle United dug deep to grind out a result on the night. Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana fired Liverpool into a half-time lead as the team went 2-0 ahead.
Also read: Liverpool 2-2 Newcastle United: 5 talking points
However, Newcastle United came in from the half time with the determination to turn things around. Papiss Cisse headed past an utterly woefully positioned Simon Mignolet before Jack Colback drove into the final third with a shot which deflected into the net off Dejan Lovren.
Rafa Benitez’s men walked out of Anfield with a vital point for their troubles. Let’s have a look at the player ratings for the game.
Liverpool
Simon Mignolet – 3/10
Simon Mignolet barely had anything to do all game. When he did, however, his efforts were comical if you aren’t a Liverpool fan. Caught in the middle of nowhere for the first, you could argue the deflection did him in for the second. Still a poor return if you let in two goals in a game where the shot count doesn’t exceed that number.
Connor Randall – 5/10
Connor Randall wasn’t really up for the game but kept things quiet at the back before he made way for Philippe Coutinho in the second half.
Dejan Lovren – 5/10
Dejan Lovren made a nuisance of himself on occasion as the equaliser finally came off him and deflected past a hapless Mignolet.
Kolo Toure – 5/10
You cannot fault Kolo Toure for much even though he was out of position once or twice.
Alberto Moreno – 7/10
Alberto Moreno was excellent going forward again and claimed two assists for his troubles but both plays that led to the Newcastle goals also came in from his side. A bit of a mixed bag for the Spaniard.
Kevin Stewart – 6/10
Kevin Stewart won back possession on a number of occasions but skewered too many passes. He didn’t seem out of place but neither did he seem all that dominant.
Joe Allen – 6/10
Joe Allen looked decent on the night and kept the play ticking for Liverpool but faded as the game progressed and didn’t seem very influential after a point.
James Milner – 6/10
James Milner’s work rate is invaluable and he kept trying till the very end to produce something but his delivery seemed off the mark mostly.
Adam Lallana – 7/10
Adam Lallana seemed to be quite a handful in the first half and seemed jaded before he was substituted off. His finish for Liverpool’s second was sensational.
Roberto Firmino – 5/10
Roberto Firmino really needs some time out of the starting eleven. He kept trying his best but seemed woefully off form.
Daniel Sturridge – 7/10
Daniel Sturridge did everything you could expect of him on the night and scored a delightful goal but simmered out of the game after a point.
Substitutes
Philippe Coutinho – 5/10
Philippe Coutinho looked sharp after coming on and did pry open Newcastle a couple of times but the final ball was missing. He couldn’t influence the game enough for Liverpool to get that third goal.
Lucas Leiva – 5/10
Lucas came on and won possession a whole lot but was equally adept at giving it away at key moments during the buildup.
Sheyi Ojo – N/A
Newcastle
Karl Darlow – 5/10
Karl Darlow seemed decent all game and was really helpless for both goals. The second goal was simply unstoppable.
Vurnon Anita – 6/10
Vurnon Anita had a decent night and kept things simple at the back. He seemed quite solid and didn’t do much wrong.
Jamaal Lascelles – 5/10
Jamaal Lascelles didn’t seem too bad in the second half but had his hands full in the first. Both centre-backs held strong in the second half.
Chancel Mbemba – 5/10
Chancel Mbemba seemed all over the place in the first half but seemed really assured in the second.
Paul Dummett – 6/10
Paul Dummett was good in the second half as well. He won a number of crucial tackles and did well going forward. He could’ve done better on occasion in the first half.
Jack Colback – 6/10
Jack Colback did reasonably well in the second half as he was run over in the first. His work rate and drive paid dividends as he scored the equalizer albeit off a minor deflection.
Cheick Tiote – 5/10
Cheick Tiote didn’t seem comfortable for much of the game. He seems of a shadow of the player that once took the Premier League by storm.
Andros Townsend – 6/10
After an average first half, Townsend really grew into the second half as good play from him in the buildup laid the foundation for both goals.
Moussa Sissoko – 7/10
Much of Moussa Sissoko’s good work came in the second half but he seemed fairly comfortable and threatening throughout the game.
Ayoze Perez – 5/10
Ayoze Perez didn’t light up the game with his play and for the most part seemed out of place before being substituted.
Papiss Cisse– 7/10
Papiss Cisse kept troubling the Liverpool defence and when it came to it, he rose highest and his towering header into the net set the tone for the Newcastle United fightback.
Substitutes
Georginio Wijnaldum – 6/10
Giorginio Wijnaldum came on for Ayoze Perez and played a whole half of football during which he offered much more than Perez did.
Aleksander Mitrovic – 5/10
Aleksander Mitrovic provided a physical presence up front but didn’t seem to do much else.
Jonjo Shelvey – N/A
