Liverpool endured another frustrating afternoon against Newcastle this time around. The Reds entered the game in poor form, having suffered a September slump that saw them thrashed 5-0 by Manchester City, draw at home to Burnley, lose 2-0 to Leicester in the Carabao Cup and only grab a point against a far inferior Spartak Moscow in the Champions League.
Things looked to be heading up when Philippe Coutinho rifled in a stunning long-range strike to put the away side ahead having squandered a whole host of chances prior to that. However, their usual Achilles heel came back to bite them again when Joselu was all too easily allowed to coast in between Lovren and Matip for the equaliser.
With the points shared at St James’ Park, here are the ratings from the match.
Simon Mignolet – 6
The Belgian couldn’t do much about Joselu’s goal, with Joel Matip’s late challenge deflecting into the far corner and out of his reach. Other than that, he showed decent delivery and handling when called into action from high balls.
Joe Gomez – 6
Saw plenty of possession throughout the match, and at both ends of the pitch too. In the defensive third, Gomez started brightly and threw himself into tackles, showing no signs of nerves while displaying great energy to cannon forward down the right flank and offer another avenue of attack.
He did lack quality in his delivery on more than one occasion, though. That and a late booking for a challenge on Christian Atsu earmarked the development that he still needs.
Joel Matip – 5
The centre-back was caught out all too easy for Newcastle’s goal, with a straight ball between he and Lovren allowing Joselu to level the scores. He may be Liverpool’s best centre-back but the Cameroonian international has been far from solid in the last few games and must show much more authority if Klopp’s team are to improve.
Dejan Lovren – 5
Lovren put his body on the line in the first-half to deny Newcastle on the goalline, only to later undo all his hard work for the equaliser. Snapped into needless tackles on a few occasions, giving the hosts a chance to put the ball into the box and establish some pressure.
His block in the dying embers of the game was crucial, though.
Jordan Henderson – 6
The Liverpool captain never stopped working in midfield, showing his usual energy on and off the ball to try and keep The Reds ticking over. Unlike against Spartak, Henderson lacked a killer instinct or creativity in the final third but did well in his own half on the whole.
Georginio Wijnaldum – 5
Another away game, another poor performance from Gini.
The Dutch internationals first-half strike was his only attacking contribution in the entire game as he delivered another shaky performance on the road. Despite seeing plenty of possession, Wijnaldum was unable to offer anything by way of creativity, while struggling in his own third without the ball.
He’s still yet to get going this season.
Philippe Coutinho – 7
The Brazilian was Liverpool’s livewire at St James’ Park, showing his usual ingenuity and creativity on the front foot to deliver another stunning goal. Right after Liverpool had a glorious chance to convert from close range, Coutinho picked up the ball from deep, roaming forward before curling one into the top bins.
Continued to look bright in the second-half when most of his teammates faded, contributing with some graft in midfield too.
Mohamed Salah – 6
Salah’s blistering pace was on show once again as the Egyptian showed plenty of attacking intent in the first-half down the flank. However, his finishing remains a real issue, having struggled to convert a host of chances yet again that would’ve put Liverpool ahead.
Sadio Mane – 5
It just wasn’t Mane’s day. The Senegalese international’s first touch was often sloppy and he looked largely off the pace, switching to the right-hand side in the second-half in an attempt to get more joy. That had little effect, though.
Daniel Sturridge – 5
His involvement in the starting eleven was greeted with applause, having established such an impressive tally against Newcastle in the past. However, it just wasn’t meant to be for Sturridge on Sunday afternoon, as he struggled to really test the Newcastle defence.
Delivered a couple of nice passes to Mane and Salah but there was very little of note in terms of goal scoring opportunities for the Englishman. Oh, and he looked a little injured by the end.
lfc has to sack kolpp asap. he will never get it right this season.
You’re just following the cliche about Wijnaldum. Watch the game. don’t parrot.
Surely we must start to question what Henderson brings if he’s the defensive midfielder and we have kept a clean sheet in 7 games….
Klopp is the problem keeps playing people who aren’t performing. We need a spine GK, CB’s, DM and a world class striker.
Gini should never play away again either, love Salah pace but never reads the positions of team mates.
Worst season ever right now.
Henderson should be kicked out of the team. He does nothing for Liverpool. No good passing, work rate is horrendous, not good at taking set pieces, no good shots on goal, nothing.
And Klopp’s tactics are very bad. Why leave Milner on the bench. Start with him and give him the armband. Have Flanagan starting on the right. And he should had Emre Can in the team, instead of Wijnaldum. Firmino should have been in the starting 11 in place of Sturridge.
Not to forget Klopp’s substitutions. Really very mindless.
Mainly, players like Henderson, Lovren, Klavan and both the goalkeepers should be given a ticket for other clubs. Sell them off in January.
Was Moreno not out there?