Liverpool throw away a two goal lead to let Newcastle leave Anfield with a crucial point in their fight for Premier League survival. In an emotional return to Anfield, Rafa Benitez engineered a comeback with his Newcastle side, reminiscent of his good old days at Merseyside.
Liverpool came into this fixture at the back of three consecutive victories, one of which was a thrashing of their Merseyside rivals Everton in a 4-0 rout. This game also marked an emotional return to Anfield for Magpies’ boss Rafa Benitez who shares many fond memories from his time at the club. The Kop sung out Rafa’s name in full voice and just as the Spaniard waved his hand at the stands in acknowledgement, the Reds found themselves ahead through Daniel Sturridge. Supremely high on confidence, the Merseysiders started in typically devastating fashion with the in-form England international scoring in just 67 seconds with a well driven low shot creeping past Darlow.
The first minute of the game consisted of the last bit of YNWA, Rafa getting his name sung by the home fans and a Daniel Sturridge goal
— Jim Boardman (@JimBoardman) April 23, 2016
Lovely goal from Sturridge, receives, turns and finishes into the bottom corner. What a start!
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) April 23, 2016
The Reds then doubled their lead through Adam Lallana, who curled a shot from the edge of the box leaving no chance for the Newcastle goalkeeper. The quality of Lallana’s goal summed up an authoritative half of football from Liverpool.
Nice goal from Lallana. Curls the ball into the top corner from 18 yards out. Lovely finish.
— This Is Anfield (@thisisanfield) April 23, 2016
Wow what a goal Lallana, let’s see more of them. #LFC
— NoMessinGegenPressin (@WarriorLFC) April 23, 2016
Cannot believe Lallana has actually gone and scored a goal. Only thought he had cruyff turns and assists in him.
— Anfield Hub (@AnfieldHub) April 23, 2016
Liverpool have time and again thrown away points from winning positions this season, with today’s capitulation taking that tally to 17 dropped points for the season. A poorly read cross saw the Belgian goalkeeper Simon Mignolet come in to punch the Anita’s ball away only to miss and hand Papiss Cisse with an open goal to head into.
Cisse makes it Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle. Mignolet comes for cross and misses. Would be surprised if he’s in goal next season under Klopp.
— Newley Purnell (@newley) April 23, 2016
Does anybody know if Rafael Benitez has any history of his teams coming from behind by scoring three to win a big game?
— Ian Doyle (@IanDoyleSport) April 23, 2016
Nice of Mignolet not to turn up today in protest of Sakho’s suspension.
— The Anfield Chat (@TheAnfieldChat) April 23, 2016
With less than half an hour to play, Jack Colback equalized for Newcastle after a shot from the edge of the box took a wicked deflection off Lovren and away from Mignolet.
That goal puts Colback up there with the likes of Prince Harry, Ed Sheeran and Rupert Grint #gingerpirlo
— Adam Kerr (@adam9kerr) April 23, 2016
#LFC have shot themselves in the foot here. Cruising for 45mins. Now a very different game. Two really soft goals conceded
— James Pearce (@JamesPearceEcho) April 23, 2016
Liverpool will have to recover quickly from this result as they prepare for the visit to Spain in the massive Europa League semi-final game against Villarreal at the Estadio El Madrigal.
