Jonjo Shelvey showed guile and precision to hurt Liverpool but Newcastle midfielder needs consistency for England call-up

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Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey said in July that England were crying out for a playmaker like him.

In August he was sent off during the first weekend of the season for a stamp on Spurs’ Dele Alli and he has not started a game until now. October.

There is, then, an asterisk attached to any statement of self-acclaim which leaves Shelvey’s lips.

Jonjo Shelvey impressed for Newcastle as the Magpies hosted Liverpool at St James' Park 

 Shelvey proved a few doubters wrong with his impressive performance at St James' Park 

Not that his declaration of England lacking a player of his guile was outlandish, for Shelvey does boast more than the likes of Jordan Henderson and Jake Livermore when it comes to creativity and offensive intent.

But for a footballer to be effective he must play - no midfielder has ever laid on a goal from the stands - and this latest ban came on the back of last season’s five-match suspension following allegations of racially abusing an opponent.

Here at St James’ Park, on Sunday against Liverpool, was a chance to prove his international credentials against one of his direct rivals for an England jersey, Reds skipper Henderson.

Rafa Benitez has kept Shelvey on the bench since his return from suspension, using him for a total of just 43 minutes over Newcastle’s previous three games, a decision in part motivated by two victories but also an annoyance at his player’s opening-day indiscretion, for which he has since apologised.

A concern over discipline, don’t forget, was also one of the reasons why Shelvey was allowed to leave Liverpool in 2013.

The visit of his former club, then, was a chance to prove a thing or two on several levels. And did he? 

In comparison with Shelvey, Jordan Henderson could not unlock the defence 

The Newcastle midfielder can provide a muscular presence as well as creativity 

He proved with his eye-of-the-needle through ball for his side’s first-half equaliser that few can rival him when it comes to precision passing. 

It was an exquisite and ambitious attempt but one which was executed perfectly and allowed Joselu to score, albeit fortuitously.

That is the best of Shelvey, a range and radar capable of turning a contest. But that was the sole example of such imagination during an afternoon in which his team were on the back foot for the majority.

He played his part in that rearguard action, heading from the goalmouth in the second half as Joel Matip charged in on a dropping ball. But Shelvey was also guilty of failing to close Philippe Coutinho quickly enough for the Brazilian’s first-half opener from 25 yards. He made up for that, however, with a block from the same player late in the game.

As for Henderson, he saw a lot of the ball without hurting Newcastle and rarely did he come into direct combat with Shelvey.

The verdict? Shelvey saved a point and made a point with his sublime assist, but more is needed before England come calling, not least a run of games without controversy and subsequent contrition. 

Rafa Benitez will want more of the same from Shelvey in the next few games