Following impressive recent form which included a healthy 13 goals scored in their last four games, many would have backed Liverpool to overcome their Newcastle hoodoo and continue their pursuit toward the top four of the Premiership. However, Steve McClaren's side were far too industrious and showed more hunger than Jürgen Klopp's lethargic bunch and deserved their victory.
Klopp made six changes to the side that tore Southampton apart during midweek and started with a front three of James Milner, Christian Benteke and Jordan Ibe. A move which in hindsight was to the team's detriment with only Joe Allen surviving in midfield being joined by Lucas Leiva. The defence remained intact, Simon Mignolet returning to join Alberto Moreno, Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel and Nathaniel Clyne making up the back line.
Main talking points during the game were a wrongly disallowed Moreno goal, Skrtel's own goal and a sucker punch strike from Georgino Wijnaldum in second half injury time. This felt very similar to Scott Dann's winner for Crystal Palace almost a month ago to the day. The only difference being that Liverpool were already a goal down.
The whole team played badly and didn't really get going. Clyne was perhaps the highlight, along with Moreno who took his "goal" well. It wasn't until Firmino and Benteke were replaced by Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi did Liverpool remotely look as if they wanted to have any say in this game. Can was missed, clearly. Allen put in a good performance but fell short. Lucas played in his slippers. Or at least that's how it seemed. The most notable absentee was probably Adam Lallana and the lack of his industry was felt.
That said, we can't forget the opposition, for they deserve credit for a typical "struggling side against Liverpool" performance. They dug in, dug deep and dragged their hosts down to their level. Similar to a statement Klopp made when he first joined the club. This time, the table was turned and McClaren demonstrated how this is achieved. Ultimately, the Reds got mugged-off on the day. Wallet open, notes showing and...!
Klopp summed it up perfectly after the game when asked what went wrong: "The start, the middle and the end..." Said the 48 year-old putting this sorry tale into perspective. In all, I'm not entirely surprised because expectations have recently spiraled out of control.
Since the performances against Manchester City and Southampton, the Liverpool hype-mobile has gone into overdrive. If anything, this loss may prove to be a blessing in disguise. As pointed out in The LFC File pre match, this was a game in which the Reds needed to put the recent showings behind them and to perform. The team has gone behind all too often to be considered title contenders and this was all to evident yesterday, in my opinion
I'd like to hear less of this title nonsense and more reality. Come April, if the team is second with a handful of games to go and it's mathematically possible, then yes. However, the fact is the team is 12 games into a new management regime. In December. In seventh place. With 23 games to go. Hence title talk is way, way too early. The team has promise but the only consistent thing about them right now is, their inconsistency and this will take time to correct.
When all is said and done, Liverpool remain a couple of wins away from fourth place. The next game is against West Brom who will pose a similar problem. All is not lost. However, it's vital that Klopp plays his best side against the Baggies and resists the temptation to make so many changes in the league. Granted, different opposition pose different challenges but Sturridge should be starting along with Lallana. Preferably also Philippe Coutinho and Can when available.
Fortunately, all of the top sides were rubbish at the weekend with the race exception of Arsenal who are my favourites for the title race this season. Leicester won but I'm not sure if they'll last the pace. This result has probably taught the manager a thing or two and I'm already looking forward to West Brom.
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