Kop raiders remind me of Keegan’s Toon terrors
LIVERPOOL legend Terry McDermott feels like he’s being transported back in time whenever he watches Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Back to the days when he was Kevin Keegan’s No.2 and Newcastle’s entertainers were sweeping all before them.
Liverpool, too, are overwhelming sides with their fast and furious football, producing more than a century of goals already this season.
So Newcastle are under no illusions about what awaits them this Saturday at a ground where they have won just once in the Premier League – and that was 24 years ago.
It’s also the scene of arguably the greatest match of the modern era when, in 1996, Keegan’s side lost a seven-goal thriller.
McDermott, however, believes if there’s one man capable of halting the Liverpool juggernaut, led by 31-goal Mohamed Salah, it’s their former manager Rafa Benitez.
“I go to all Liverpool home games and the football reminds me of Kevin’s Newcastle team,” said McDermott, a European Cup winner with his hometown club and a player and long-time coach with the Magpies.
“Like us, they won’t be winning the league this year but they don’t half entertain you.
“It’s a pleasure going there. You’re pretty much guaranteed ® goals, because Klopp’s got his team set up to pile forward at every opportunity.”
Does he therefore fear the worst for the club where he worked alongside Keegan and fellow Reds legends Kenny Dalglish and Graeme Souness?
“Not at all, actually,” he said. “Not with Rafa in charge.
“He’ll be relishing this game – and not just because he’s still hugely popular on Merseyside.
“Rafa will love pitting his wits against Klopp and, mark my words, he’ll have a plan to counter them.
Moaners
“I’m not saying Newcastle will go there, dominate the game and come away with three points. That’s not going to happen.
“But they’ll be disciplined, wellorganised and tough to break down. Will it work? I don’t know but it won’t be another 4-3!”
Benitez came under fire for his defensive tactics in the two league games against Manchester City – the Toon’s only two league defeats since Christmas.
But McDermott’s having none of it, adding: “The moaners criticise Rafa for his defensive tactics but he knows what he is doing.
“This Newcastle squad isn’t packed with big names, though I like Jamaal Lascelles and think Paul Dummett is a hugely underrated footballer.
“But their biggest asset is Rafa and if there’s anyone who can save them, it’s him.
“I believe Newcastle will stay up but it’s going to the wire and may even be decided on goal difference.
“And do you know something? If they do survive on goal difference, it will probably be those fans criticising the manager for his safety-first tactics who will be first to applaud him!”