Jurgen Klopp gave an answer dripping with sarcasm as he revealed his frustration after Liverpool’s latest setback.

When asked in the post-match press conference whether it was a fair result, Klopp replied flippantly: “Is that the first game you have ever seen?”

Incredibly, it is now just one win in seven games in all competitions for Liverpool and their title ambitions already look a long shot after a disappointing start to the campaign.

It was easy to understand why Klopp was upset afterwards because Liverpool went ahead, had enough chances to win comfortably and yet shot themselves in the foot. Again.

Philippe Coutinho was outstanding in the first half, scored a world class opening goal and it looked as if Liverpool would go on to win easily.

Klopp was left frustrated at St James' (
Image:
PA Wire)

But Liverpool defender Joel Matip’s clumsiness gifted an equaliser to Joselu and then Newcastle dug deep in the second half to win a hard earned point.

It was tough luck on Liverpool but they have only got themselves to blame and, at the final whistle, Newcastle’s fans gave their team a standing ovation while many of the travelling supporters had already gone.

That was as telling as the 74th minute substitutions as Rafa Benitez brought on a holding midfielder while Klopp threw on two strikers. They were like-for-like replacements but it showed the mind set of the managers.

Klopp is hell-for-leather, desperate to go for all three points. Benitez the pragmatist, cheered on all sides by both sets of fans, and played it safe by going for a point.

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The expectation levels are very different now but Benitez won trophies during his time at Liverpool while Klopp knows he will be facing difficult questions if they finish the season empty-handed.

And the problem is that it is hard to see them winning silverware playing like this. They are fabulous to watch going forward, the forward line - Daniel Sturridge, Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah - looked ready to tear Newcastle apart with Coutinho prompting from midfield.

Coutinho’s 23rd minute corner found Georginio Wijnaldum and his shot hit the post, Dejan Lovren saw his shot blocked on the line and Mane then fired wide at the back post. It was one hell of a let off.

Four minutes later, Liverpool were ahead. A poor clearance fell to Coutinho, the Liverpool No10 burst forward, Jonjo Shelvey gave him too much space and the Brazilian curled a brilliant 20 yard shot past Newcastle keeper Rob Elliot.

Coutinho fires home... (
Image:
REUTERS)
... and celebrates his opener (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

But just when you thought Liverpool would run away with it, Newcastle levelled thanks to more crazy defending. Liverpool have kept just two clean sheets all season, not had a goalless draw, scored 22 but conceded 20. You can see what’s going wrong.

Shelvey’s through ball released Joselu, the Newcastle striker raced through but Matip caught him, made a sliding tackle and the ball deflected in off the Spaniard. It was an incredible piece of luck for the 36th minute leveller.

Liverpool could have had a penalty when Ciaran Clark grappled Lovren to the ground. Newcastle were better after the break but Sturridge and Salah both wasted a chance to capitalise after Clark’s 50th minute mistake.

Joselu celebrates his equaliser (
Image:
Getty Images Europe)

Joe Gomez was given a yellow card for a dangerous challenge on Newcastle’s Christian Atsu. On another day with another referee, it could have been red.

Liverpool substitute Dominic Solanke’s 84th minute header grazed the outside of a post before Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain headed over the bar from close range with three minutes left.

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Newcastle also had their moments as they battened down the hatches, defended deep and hit on the break. Newcastle substitute Mohamed Diame saw a late effort blocked by Lovren’s arm, although the Liverpool defender did not know much about it.

A draw was hard enough for Klopp to take. A defeat would have sent him over the edge. But Liverpool are already seven points off the top and they have a lot of ground to make up.

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