It was a lesson for the German to ponder. It is one of the most over-used clichés but there really are no easy games in the Premier League and Liverpool looked jaded after their superb
Capital One Cup victory over Southampton.
Their attacking play was disjointed and although Alberto Moreno had a good goal ruled out by an incorrect offside call after Newcastle had taken the lead - a shame because it was an exquisite finish on the volley from the full back - this raised questions about whether Klopp’s high octane pressing game can be deployed twice every week in England because of the greater physical demands of the league and the competitiveness from top to bottom.
Newcastle's effort should not be downplayed.
This was a team that was unrecognisable from last weekend's 5-1 humiliation at Crystal Palace. To a man, the Magpies were both resilient and disciplined. They sat back but whenever Liverpool threatened inside their half, black and white shirts swarmed around the man in possession. They adapted Klopp’s methods and used it against him.
If there was a touch of good fortune about the first goal, head coach Steve McClaren deserved it. He had made no secret of the fact he had gone back to basics on the training ground this week and it worked. Play like this against the less glamorous names when the live television cameras aren't in attendance and Newcastle will not be relegated. One of his many buzzwords at St James' Park has been consistency, or rather the lack of it. But this was a small step in the right direction after two weeks of going backwards.
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