Looking to continue their excellent run of form, Liverpool welcome Newcastle United at Anfield in the English Premier League.
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All four sides of the stadium chanted Benitez’s name at the final whistle, and the Spaniard enjoyed an emotional Anfield return.
The visitors were found lacking throughout the first half as the home support rallied behind Liverpool, but they soon turned it around after Rafa Benitez’s half-time team talk.
Jurgen Klopp raged after Liverpool were denied a penalty as they blew a two-goal lead against Newcastle.
When Benitez took over as manager at St James’ Park six weeks ago the drop seemed a near-certainty but yesterday’s result will build belief that an improbable escape may yet be on the cards.
But Papiss Cisse’s header just seconds after the break and Jack Colback’s deflected shot drew Newcastle level.
It was not to be, although no-one in black and white was complaining.
“In the first half we were clearly the better team and we were clearly the better team in the second half too, only not around the two goals we conceded”. But with 4 more games to go, Liverpool might be at risk of missing out on the Champions League qualifications again if they fail to pick up the automatic qualification ticket via an Europa League win.
“Every point counts and we had a good one against Man City”.
“We have made a statement and that’s all we can say at this moment and want to say”, he said.
“We did really, really well in the first half against a highly-motivated side in their situation”, Klopp said.
“We did it late but we did it. That’s the positive thing”.
“Little by little, you can see the team is better organised and with better reactions”.
“A 2-2 draw is not too good but we have to accept it”.
With only 29 points after 34 games, the Magpies have 12 points to play to try and see them make it safely in the bottom half of the table.
However, they looked to be on their way to a comfortable victory as Daniel Sturridge scored after just 68 seconds and Adam Lallana added a fine second on the half-hour mark.
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Villarreal are in La Liga action on Sunday against Real Sociedad before they then prepare to host Liverpool on Thursday evening in a high-stakes Europa League clash.
