The Chronicle reports:-
There was a moment just before kick off when one of Rafa Benitez’s subtle touches went some way to earning Newcastle United a point.
Although, it didn’t feel like it was going to be Newcastle’s day at about 3.30pm at Anfield.
By that time we’d had You’ll Never Walk Alone and the usual big build-up to the game – not to mention Liverpool’s flying start as Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana fired the Reds 2-0 up.
But Newcastle had already managed to edge ahead slightly in the mind games thanks to a little tip from the gaffer.
Having won the toss Newcastle chose not to shoot towards their own fans for the second half and instead attack the Kop.
Usually, Liverpool players and fans love to see their team pour forward towards one of the game’s most iconic stands.
You only have to look at their recent 4-3 win over Borussia Dortmund for evidence of that.
Yet Benitez advised his Newcastle team to do it, dare I say it, the “Liverpool way”.
The little alteration, though, seemed to bring a nervousness to Jurgen Klopp’s team - not least when Papiss Cisse headed home two minutes into the second half to change the complexity of the game.
And had Cheick Tiote upended Sturridge in front of the Kop, would the roar have been louder and swayed the mind of Kevin Friend?
Of course, Jack Colback efforts mean the Geordie grabbed some of the headlines.
But the decision to kick the direction of the Kop pushed Liverpool out of their comfort zone.
It certainly changed the atmosphere and if Newcastle survive by a point it could change the future.