Liverpool’s momentum was put on hold this evening as Newcastle United managed to overturn a first half deficit of two goals to come back into the game and hold on for a vital point.
Rafael Benitez, a man who made the Kop dream at one time, returned to Anfield to haunt its denizens with a trademark performance from his side which seemed reminiscent of his time at Liverpool.
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The game began with Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana steering the Merseyside club into a two-goal lead at half-time. Newcastle United fought back with Papiss Cisse powering a header into the net and Jack Colback’s deflected shot completing the comeback. The match was filled with talking points and so, without delay let us take a look at some of them.
1) Simon Mignolet is at it again
If the club had a penny for every time a fan groaned with dismay at Simon Mignolet making an error, Ian Ayre could actually finance the bid for the Belgian’s replacement. Simon Mignolet, after a flurry of games filled with confidence, opened himself to much scrutiny again in the game as he was caught flapping at the ball in the air rather comically in the second half.
Needless to say that this was a moment which cost Liverpool dearly as Papiss Cisse took advantage of Mignolet coming out to rise highest in the air and powered a header past the Belgian shot stopper to trigger Newcastle United’s recovery in the game.
The Belgian could only watch as the equaliser went in deflected off Dejan Lovren as he was left to rue his earlier mistake.
The Liverpool faithful are well and truly fed up of Simon Mignolet as statistics reveal that he has cost Liverpool around 8 points this season, a tally that would’ve put them within one point of fourth-placed Arsenal at this stage.
Jurgen Klopp has often come out to protect his keepers but it may well be something on his mind that Liverpool could do with a keeper that could save them some points for a change.
2) Rafael Benitez remains a specialist at getting results
It isn’t the worst decision in the world to let an ex-Real Madrid manager take charge of your team especially if they are indeed relegation threatened. If eyebrows were raised as to Rafael Benitez’s appointment at Newcastle United at the business end of this season, it was more to ascertain if the Champions League winning manager was sure about taking over at a club often described by folk in the media ‘as a football circus for all the wrong reasons’.
Rafael Benitez’s appointment seems to be a good one based purely on the last three games. Newcastle United have gone from winning none of their games to not losing the last three.
They won convincingly at Swansea and drew at Manchester City and Liverpool and it seems like the Toon Army are building some momentum. With 3 games left this season, Newcastle could pip relegation rivals Sunderland and Norwich to safety if Rafa Benitez has a few more results up his sleeve.
One guesses, only time will tell if Newcastle United avoid the drop but Rafael Benitez clearly still has it in him.
3) Liverpool have one shot at getting into the Champions League
It’s been said time and again that Liverpool’s chances of making the top 4 are close to nothing for a long time now. However with teams dropping points above them, a small window of opportunity had seemingly appeared but that would’ve meant that the Reds would’ve needed to win all of their remaining games to make anything happen.
Unfortunately for Jurgen Klopp’s wards, that chance has seemingly evaporated with the team dropping points against Newcastle United. While the top 4 would not have been on the German coach’s agenda at the moment, one cannot deny the fact going into the Champions League is a great incentive for any effort.
Over the season, Liverpool have seemed likeliest to win the Europa League and after having spectacularly dispatched favourites Borussia Dortmund, Liverpool will hope to go the distance. With Villarreal waiting for them in the semi-final, Liverpool now have to focus all their energy into marching into the finals and hopefully winning it.
The Europa League trophy is not only a way into the Champions League but also the one way Liverpool can salvage their season. 7th on the table and out of every other competition, Liverpool could call this fractious season a success if they win the Europa League and if anyone has any doubts as to Liverpool’s intentions about the same, they need only listen to Herr Klopp’s post match interview.
4) Newcastle still likely to drop into the Championship
Newcastle United seem to be on the path to reviving their fortunes but the problem is, all of this might be coming in a little too late with the numbers somewhat against them. Stuck at 30 points in the table, they are firmly in 19th spot with Aston Villa below them. However, with Newcastle, you cannot be sure any of these results could bail them out.
Newcastle are on the same points as Sunderland but their arch rivals have played two games less with one due to be played against Arsenal at the Stadium of Light. Norwich, on the other hand, have one game in hand over Newcastle with a one point lead over Sunderland and Newcastle.
Even if Newcastle were to win all three games ahead of them, Norwich would need 9 points out of a possible 12 to send Newcastle down or Sunderland could do the needful as well with 10 points out of a possible 15 for them.
Newcastle would need to force three wins to even achieve that very scenario into play and their last three games are Crystal Palace (at home), Aston Villa (away) and Tottenham Hotspur (at home).
The scenario is not completely impossible but it doesn’t seem likely that Newcastle would get all 9 points of the last 3 games. So, they’re still likely to go down unless things change.
5) Liverpool need changes in the summer
One thing clear about Liverpool’s situation is that in an average season, there are a mammoth number of games they play out if European Football is involved. It seems likely that they will clinch the Europa League spot for next season and that would mean Liverpool have work to do in the summer.
Liverpool need a quality midfielder to get into the favourites’ list for a top four challenge. With Klopp’s style of play, you can be rest assured of the need for rotation during fixture congestions.
Liverpool need quality and probably some quality in depth. Players like Kevin Stewart and Connor Randall may have room for development but they seem further away from filling the rotation spaces than what a potential summer signing might.
The goalkeeper situation is a precarious one. Danny Ward has played little to assert himself as a natural successor for Simon Mignolet’s spot and yet considering the new contract, it doesn’t make complete sense to splurge on another keeper without moving one of these two on.
Then there’s the need for proper wide players unless of course Jordon Ibe can rediscover his touch and Sheyi Ojo can unlock another level to his game.
