On-fire Alex hits back after a hammering from pundits

black and white wall, Liverpool finally breached Toon defences as the prolific Salah controlled Oxlade-Chamberlian’s pass, switched feet and beat Martin Dubravka. When Roberto Firmino brilliantly set up Mane for Liverpool’s second early in the second half, Anfield sat back awaiting another goal blitz.

But Liverpool did not have to be at their swaggering best against a disciplined yet painfully limited Newcastle side, who were unable to prevent Benitez suffering his first defeat as a visiting manager to his former club.

Goal difference will be crucial in the race for Premier League survival and there was some satisfaction in the Toon camp that theirs remains better than most of their rivals after this damage-limitation exercise.

Toon midfielder Mikel Merino said: “I am not saying there is a good way to lose. It is still zero points but goal difference is always important and when we play big teams, we are not losing by big margins.”

Newcastle now have successive home games against rivals Southampton and Huddersfield which will shape their season.

And Benitez knows his side must carry more of a threat than they did on Saturday.

He said: “They are different teams and different scenarios.

“So it’s not the same when you play away against one of the top teams than when you play at home against a team in a similar position.

“Against Southampton, we have to attack and create chances.”