Bruce explains Shelvey tactical change during Anfield draw

Steve Bruce has revealed why he moved Jonjo Shelvey into defence against Liverpool.

Joe Willock scored a 95thminute equalised to claim a point for Newcastle United from a 1-1 draw against the Premier League champions at Anfield.

Midfield loanee Willock – who has come off the bench andscoredinthreeoftheclub’s last four games, and is already a summer target for Newcastle

– replaced defender Ciaran Clark in the 64th minute, and this change saw Shelvey move into central defence.

"Well, we just wanted him to stay deep,” said head coach Bruce. “We wanted him to find apassfromdeeptotryandpenetrate. We know Liverpool alwaysplayahighline,anditwas something that we practised, yes, to get Jonjo in a deep position to find a pass. Thankfully, it’s worked OK.”

Shelvey, one of the first names on Bruce’s teamsheet, had rejected criticism of his workrate ahead of the game in the club’s Zoom Army feature.

“I think I give off this impression with my body language by the way I run, or the way I am,” said the 29-year-old, who had defended Bruce in February amid calls for him to be dismissed.

“I’m quite a laid back character. It might look like that, but the stats say different, and as long as I’m doing it, and it’s being recorded and everything is monitored, you can’t get away with not running.

"I know it might not seem like I’m not running, or I’m lazyorwhatever,butthestatsare saying different, so I’m just going to continue to do what I’m doing.

"If I’m going to be honest, I’d take not running at all and win the game comfortably – keep the ball and play position football–butyoucan’tgetaway with anything these days.

"You need to rule your sleeves up and run, and I feel likethat’swhatthestatssayI’m doing. As long as the stats say I’m doing it, the proof is there in writing.”

Newcastle are 15th in the Premier League, and nine points above the relegation zone, following the Liverpool game. Meanwhile, Miguel Almiron was forced off against Liverpool. “We hope it’s cramp with Almiron,” said United’s head coach.

AllanSaint-Maximin–who unsettled Liverpool with a series of powerful runs forward – needed treatment during the game, but he was able to play the full game. Bruce said: “Saint-Maximin’sgoingtotake knocks because of the way he plays. I think he’s OK.”