Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Rafa: I’m not greedy
very different now but Benitez won trophies during his time at Liverpool while Klopp knows he will face difficult questions if the Reds finish the season empty-handed.
And the problem is that it is hard to see them winning silverware playing like this.
They are fabulous to watch going forward.
The front line of Daniel Sturridge, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah looked ready to tear Newcastle apart, with Coutinho prompting from midfield.
Co u t i n h o’s 2 3 rd - minute corner found Georginio Wijnaldum and his shot hit the post, Dejan Lovren saw his shot blocked on the line, and Mane then fired wide at the back post. It was only a temporary let-off for Newcastle because, within four minutes, Liverpool were ahead. A poor clearance fell to Coutinho, who jinked inside and curled a brilliant 20yard shot past keeper Rob Elliot.
But just when you thought Liverpool would run away with it, Newcastle levelled thanks to more crazy Kop defending.
Liverpool have kept just two clean sheets all season, scored 22 goals but conceded 20, so you can see what’s going wrong.
Jonjo Shelvey’s through-ball released Joselu, who looked to have a clear run on goal. Matip made ground to get i n a challenge but, in trying to clear, he struck the ball against the Spaniard’s shin and it bounced past Simon Mignolet in the Liverpool goal.
It was an equaliser as bizarre as the opener was beautiful.
Newcastle were better after the break but Sturridge and Salah both wasted chances to restore Liverpool’s lead
Liverpool substitute Dominic Solanke’s 84th-minute header grazed the outside of a post before fellow sub Alex OxladeChamberlain headed o over the bar from close r range with three m minutes left.
A draw was hard e enough for Klopp to t take. A defeat would h have sent him over the e edge. But Liverpool are a already seven points off t the top and have a lot o of ground to make up.
C