Benitez frustrates old love Liverpool
Magpies boss gets his tactics just right as Reds’ defensive woes are exposed again
THOSE Liverpool supporters tucked away up high at the back of Level Seven in the Leazes End at St James’ Park did not really need a further reminder of the tactical nouse of Rafa Benitez. They have Istanbul for that, but still they got one.
A newly-promoted team that should have had a bit more spent on its strengthening in the summer was coerced and marshalled superbly by the Spaniard to a point that felt much more to the home side than the visitors.
For periods in the first half, Tyneside could only hold its breath as the attacking mite of a football club who fought off Barcelona for Philipp Coutinho, was showcased.
And Liverpool simply flowed. But Benitez has installed spirit, and shape and belief, and the home side called on all three to fight their way back into a game Liverpool threatened to run away with for spells in the first half.
Jurgen Klopp’s men had given fair warning of their attacking intent and armoury in the 23rd minute. Then it had been a mystery as to how they had not taken the lead.
A right wing corner from Coutinho had been flicked goalwards by Georginio Wijnaldum, the former Newcastle midfielder, and it clipped off a post with Rob Elliot beaten, Dejan Lovren’s shot on the rebound was blocked by the recalled Javier Manquillo and when the rebound fell to Sadio Mane he shot wide of the far post. The
naturally demonstrative Klopp had his head in his hands. No one was quite sure how the ball had not ended up in the Newcastle goal.
That was far easier to fathom four minutes later; the brilliance of Coutinho and some woeful defending from Newcastle.
Benitez could not hide his fury when Jamaal Lascelles failed to clear his lines properly on the Newcastle byline, the ball was flicked into the path of Coutinho but there was still much to be done. The returning Jonjo Shelvey afforded the Brazilian an age of time and the Barcelona target bent an excellent shot from 25 yards that flew past Elliot.
It felt that goal had been coming. Coutinho was again given space in the 33rd minute, this time blasting his shot way over the Newcastle crossbar.
It would take good fortune for Benitez and his current side to get a major foothold back in the game. Shelvey’s artistry had been preferred to Isaac Hayden’s endeavour. In the 36th minute it worked, when the former Liverpool midfielder slipped through a superb ball to Joselu, who looked in line with the visitors’ defence.
The former Stoke centre forward had scored on his debut against West Ham, but had then missed three fine chances against his former club and one at Brighton. That looked like it weighed heavy as he broke through and a stadium rose to its feet in anticipation. He looked lonely. It allowed Joel Matip to catch him, but the defender managed only to kick the ball off the forward’s leg and the ricochet carried the ball into the far corner of Simon Mignolet’s goal.
The Spaniard’s relief was shared by the home crowd. It gave Benitez something to work with. That would prove enough.
Klopp’s forwards’ profligacy bore the brunt of his anger, rather than the porous nature of a defence that has raised many questions recently. He fumed pitchside. He remonstrated angrily with his captain, Jordan Henderson in the 79th minute, when another break had been cleared, this time by the head of Matt Ritchie.
Their best opportunity came through a rare mistake from Ciaran Clark, who, on his weaker foot, missed a clearance that ran into the path of Daniel Sturridge. With just Elliot to beat, the forward was denied by the Republic of Ireland international and the rebound was struck over by Mohamed Salah.