Klopp: The boys were brilliant and offensive midfiel

IF Rafa Benitez can keep Newcastle in the Premier League, it might just match his greatest managerial achievement.

It must have been souldestroying for a manager who masterminded the Miracle of Istanbul, 13 years ago, to return to his spiritual Anfield home with a plan that was no more ambitious than spoiling a game he knew he couldn’t win.

Goals by Mo Salah and Sadio Mane ensured the Toon Army duly marched out of Liverpool empty-handed.

But, in many respects, it was job done for the Geordies. Benitez will take some comfort from the fact that his team avoided the kind of hammering that would drain them of the fighting spirit they are going to need to stay in the top flight.

Not that a serial winner like the Spaniard would admit it.

Kop boss Jurgen Klopp knew that what Newcastle lacked in quality, their manager would strive to make up for in organisation.

“Rafa wants to take the points we crave, the points we need for our aims and our dreams,” Klopp had written in his programme notes.

You can be sure that his players were given the same message before they were sent out to chase a victory that would lift them above Manchester United and Tottenham into second place in the table.

Liverpool were rarely at their free-flowing best. But they still had too much for the Toon.

Benitez employed a flat back five in a bid to stem the rampant Reds.

His plans would have been in tatters inside four minutes had Mane controlled Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cross as it dropped over Jamal Lascelles’ head. He didn’t and the chance went begging.

Then Paul Dummett managed to block Salah’s half-volley with the side of his head.

Salah tried his luck again when he raced on to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain’s ball over the top to lash a flashing volley into the side-netting.

Dejan Lovren saw his header from Salah’s corner saved by Toon keeper Martin Dubravka and his follow-up was blocked by Mikel Merino.

Then a mistake by Deandre Yedelin enabled Emre Can and Roberto Firmino to free Salah only for Florian Lejune to nick the ball away from the Egyptian as he shaped to shoot.

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