Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool resurgence ran aground on Sunday as Georginio Wijnaldum inspired Newcastle United to a much-needed 2-0 home win that eased the pressure on their manager Steve McClaren.
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Liverpool struggled for fluency throughout, despite coming into the match on the back of seven wins from eight outings in all competitions, although they were entitled to feel aggrieved when Alberto Moreno had a sensational volleyed equaliser ruled out for offside.
However, it was Newcastle who triumphed at St. James’ Park, courtesy of a Martin Skrtel own-goal and a late Georginio Wijnaldum strike.
“Our defending in the last line was good, but our midfield pressing was not good, and I couldn’t see offensive pressing”.
“I have to see it again, I have to analyse this game so I know more about it”.
“We played no counter-pressing”.
“I’m anxious about him because the one thing United don’t want is Liverpool to get above us”, said the Scot, speaking at the TechCrunch Disrupt London event. Frankly, in a game alarmingly short on quality, Newcastle were the better of two poor sides, but their win was nevertheless thoroughly deserved. We like to work together, but today we got beat.
The first half was somewhat forgettable but Newcastle did enough to convince themselves that they could have a cut at Liverpool in the second half.
With the home side content to sit back and Liverpool unable to break them down, the game took a long while to warm up and threatened to become the first goalless draw between the sides for 41 years.
“It’s been a tough two weeks”, said the Newcastle head coach. “This gives us a chance”.
Newcastle took the lead when Wijnaldum’s persistence allowed him to send in a right-foot shot from a tight angle and, in his efforts to block it, Skrtel could only help the ball over goalkeeper Simon Mignolet. I don’t need to tell you what is easier!
“We have to rotate and change players – sometimes it works perfectly and sometimes not, it’s not about the players”. “We had to change, not because of the last game against Southampton but because of all the games we have had. We hope that’s the lightbulb moment that turns it around and we do that week in, week out”.
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“It’s hard to win games, but we gave everything in the end and then you can be proud because there’s no regrets – and that’s what we did here”. Just 11 games into the German’s reign, as impressive as some of their performances have been, it was always too early to start talking about the Reds as title contenders.
