Quizzed about whether his side’s recent performances had taken their toll, with the Reds on course for their fifth win in a row in all competitions before Newcastle’s comeback, Klopp admitted: “I’m not sure”.
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Fabregas was again instrumental in the second half as he set up the third for Willian and a late fourth for Hazard.
There will be no ramifications for Liverpool in the Europa League, however, as the charge is player specific.
Rafael Benitez put Newcastle United’s superb second-half revival in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool down to two or three minor tactical adjustments at half-time.
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.
Klopp introduced Philippe Coutinho in an effort to conjure a late victor for Liverpool, while Newcastle sent on former Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey to shore up midfield and help ensure the visitors held out. Moreno sent a ball over the top for Daniel Sturridge who controlled it before directing a shot into the far corner of the goal.
Benitez’s six years on Merseyside saw the club enjoy one of their most successful periods in the Premier League era, bringing in world-class talents in Pepe Reina, Xabi Alonso, Javier Mascherano and Fernando Torres.
Newcastle moved up several gears in the second half and got a helping hand from Simon Mignolet in Liverpool’s goal.
“Every game I try to do my best to help the team, to help the fans, so today I’m happy to score”.
“We had to fight and show more character and I think the players had a fantastic reaction”.
Benitez has opted to start Cisse in the last three league games despite fellow striker Aleksandar Mitrovic being available and having the better goal return with eight league strikes this season. I said so many times since I was here, that they have trained really well and they needed confidence.
‘And if we get the first goal we can come back into the game. “For us, it’s very, very important”.
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“From 2-0 up it doesn’t feel like you have won a point it feels like you have lost two”, he said.
