The former Sunderland goalkeeper’s mistake against Newcastle means that no player in the Premier League has made more errors leading to goals this season than him (four).
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The Croatian does, however, believe Saturday’s result will have no bearing on their Europa League semi-final first-leg with away to Villarreal. Second-placed Tottenham Hotspur, on 68, entertain West Bromwich Albion on Monday.
Sakho was not involved in the squad after the pre-match announcement that he is being investigated by UEFA for a potential anti-doping violation.
There had certainly been nothing to stir memories of that Champions League final revival against AC Milan in Istanbul 11 years ago, when Benitez’s Liverpool came from three down to draw 3-3 and eventually lift the Cup after a penalty shootout.
Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana goals gave us a 2-0 half-time lead over the Magpies, who replied in the second half through strikes from Papiss Cisse and Jack Colback.
“I felt we took our foot off the gas a bit and we lost momentum and credit to Newcastle who probably got a deserved point”.
“I think we did really, really well in the first half against a side who are highly motivated”, the German added. We wanted to keep the momentum going and we managed to do that.
The German coach maintains that his Reds were the better team in both halves, and should have won the match easily.
Liverpool failed to capitalise on an impressive first-half display, allowing Newcastle to fight back and secure an unlikely share of the spoils.
“We didn’t decide the relegation, we can say that – they all got points from us”.
On the south coast, Chelsea took their revenge for a 1-0 home defeat in December by defeating Bournemouth in a closer contest than the scoreline suggested.
Cesc Fabregas set up three of the goals, with Spain forward Pedro opening Chelsea’s account in the fifth minute and Brazil midfielder Willian notching their third.
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Leicester will be without the suspended Jamie Vardy on Sunday after his dismissal for diving against West Ham and his replacement is likely to be Leonardo Ulloa, who came off the bench to score the last-gasp penalty that rescued a draw last weekend.
