Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp would not have been pleased after watching his side surrender a 2-0 first-half lead to draw 2-2 with Newcastle United at Anfield on Saturday.
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Liverpool now have a 3 game shoot out to secure a return to Europe’s elite but they will do it without the very players they have relied upon so far – Mamadou Sakho the latest in a line of absences; for what could be the most freaky mistake a professional player could make, a failure to scrutinise the key ingredients of a dietary supplement.
Benitez’s side trailed to first-half goals from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana, but Papiss Cisse sparked their revival with a goal soon after the interval and Jack Colback’s first of the season sealed a vital fightback.
The drama on the pitch matched that off it as Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho’s failed drugs test for an apparent “fat-burning” substance grabbed the pre-match headlines.
“It was an intense game and we did well against a team who are fighting for their lives in the Premier League”.
“He’s young, scoring goals in Ligue 1 – which doesn’t always translate into the Premier League”, Nicol said.
Having something to play for has concentrated their minds, or so steveb0ss thinks: “I keep rewatching the first goal, and honestly, yeah Migs should have done better”, he said.
“We had this penalty situation, I think it was a clear penalty [when Daniel Sturridge appeared to be fouled by Cheik Tiote]”.
“But you then need a little bit of luck in decisive moments; it’s an inch on the boot and the ball goes there”.
Liverpool host Newcastle United today in a game that could define Rafa Benitez’s tenure at the North East giants. In an intensive game, after an intensive game, against a rested opponent, we did really well.
Sturridge celebrates the game’s opening goal after just 67 seconds.
“He’s an up and coming player, he’s an worldwide, he’s only 22, he’s got ability, and he scores goals”.
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Newcastle moved up several gears in the second half and got a helping hand from Simon Mignolet in Liverpool’s goal. Having won four on the hop in all competitions – including a famous come from behind victory against Borussia Dortmund and an nearly routine trouncing of cross-town rivals Everton – sometimes you need a bit of luck to keep a streak going and that was missing for us out on the pitch in the second half.
