5 Talking Points: Newcastle United vs Liverpool FC

The Sunday game at St. James’ Park of Newcastle United vs Liverpool finished with an unexpected score as Newcastle defeated the routing Liverpool 2-0. With Skrtel giving the home side an opening goal courtesy of a deflection, the result was all but settled when Wijnaldum scored 2 minutes into extra time.The game could very well have had a different scoreline when Moreno beautifully put one past the keeper but to the dismay of the away side, it was given offside, though replays showed otherwise. While Jurgen Klopp would not have expected this result, the home team dominated the game right from the dawn of the first half and maybe deserved the three points.

This result sees Liverpool FC drop to the seventh position in the table, while Newcastle improved their chances of moving out of the relegation zone in the 19th position, 2 points behind Sunderland.

Here are the top 5 talking points of the game, by Essentially Sports.

1. Ibe needs to improve his final balls in:

While playing the traditional Liverpool way, Ibe still needs experience and judgement when it comes to playing on the wings. While he often found himself in amazing positions and possible half chances, his inability to identify them and time them right might have cost the team a goal or two, hypothetically. He often made the mistake of rushing past the fullback, trying to outrun them. While trying to outmanoeuvre the fullbacks, he gave the Newcastle defence enough time for them to track back, cover and mark Benteke well enough to prevent any scoring opportunity which would have been possible.

While these skills only come as one plays, gaining experience; such instincts are the thin difference between the normal, the good and the amazing.

2. Newcastle playing compact:

To counter Jurgen Klopp’s classic aggressive play, McClaren opted to play a compact formation against the away side. It proved to be a very well thought out decision, keeping them well in their pocket despite the improved position for the opposition. Finding no space to attack through the middle of the pitch, Liverpool were forced to play out wide. The fullbacks were also very tight and didn’t allow Liverpool any clear chances to get in good crosses.

While this also meant that at most parts of the game the alternate flank was left open for grabs and some missed opportunity on flank movements on either side, they managed to find their respite in the speed of their attacking front. The lack of space for their own attack due to their compact form wasn’t a factor when going forward in quick succession.

3. McClaren might have just managed to save his job:

With the rumors of the Newcastle boss being sacked selling like hot cakes on the English media front, he might have very well earned himself little more time to save his 6-month-old job as the manager of Newcastle United. Having lost 3-0 when he was managing Wolfsburg against Jurgen Klopp’s Dortmund, he was sacked just 9 days after the defeat. However, he managed to prove himself the better side this time around, and might save himself for a little longer.

With players like Winjaldum, Mitrovic and Mbemba to carry the team out of the relegation zone, the owners just need to put some faith in the man who once managed the English National team.

4.Gegenpressing too soon for Liverpool

Jurgen Klopp’s ever-so-favourite gegenpressing would have worked wonders at Borussia Dortmund, but it leaves  a lot to ask for in the Liverpool side which constantly shows the downside of not implementing Gegenpressing to it’s full potential. While his policy of pressing when they lose possession works for some teams, it doesn’t work for some. For example, it might work against a team like Swansea, which solely depends on it’s passing capabilities. But against teams like Newcastle United, the factor of speed comes in the picture.

Unlike the Dortmund squad which Klopp himself constructed and perfected according to his master plan, he is dealing with raw timber which needs to be moulded into a house at Liverpool. He can construct a decent home, but it takes good time to perfect his design. The Liverpool defence often found itself out of place, trying to press the opponents. This opened up spaces which Newcastle forwards saw good chances in, and converted in the dying minutes of the game.

If Jurgen Klopp does not care for the results in the present season, but wishes to build a perfect team by the next season- he should continue with his present philosophy. But if he wants to display results this season itself, fight for a Champions League spot, he needs to modify his game as per the opponent’s demands- and something not just dependent on Liverpool’s aggression.

5. Liverpool was fatigued:

The game is taking it’s toll on Liverpool. Playing 4 games in the last 10 days, the fitness levels of the players have gone down a notch. The players seemed lethargic at times. There were plenty of misplaced passes- the ones which were regulation stuff for players of Liverpool quality. Apart from those, some of these passes led to weak opportunities, clearly causing a good number of chances lost. The players started tiring themselves out around the 60′ mark and ever since then, sparing a few quick beat chances, the game almost felt lost.

One cannot put the blame on anyone. With the injury list for the Liverpool squad only growing in number, the playable squad started diminishing. Players had to be repeated on continuous games during the 4-continuous-game spell. Sturridge was only brought after two-thirds of the game. Liverpool’s changed play requires a lot of stamina for continuously moving up and down the ground, and the squad is still dealing with the increased workload. Add that to the reduced recovery team and the manager’s clear disapproval of a lack of winter at England does not paint a very bright future for Liverpool.