Liverpool player ratings vs Newcastle: Hapless front three, Klopp stubborn

Liverpool player ratings – midfield

Central Midfield: James Milner – 5/10

In his return from injury, ‘Millie’ was not the choice for a cold away night in Newcastle alongside the other two midfielders if we wanted to actually score a goal.

He was okay I guess, but we certainly saw a dramatic improvement when Milner went off – whether that is down to Thiago’s quality or Milner’s lack of is difficult to see.

Central Midfield: Jordan Henderson – 5/10

Henderson was hard-working and good in midfield – but there was simply no creativity from the Liverpool captain, not that we expect much as it’s not really his game.

However, his passing range was off-piste as well as his progressivity – meaning he just slowed it down too much in the passage from defence to attack.

Central Midfield: Curtis Jones – 4.5/10

Another poor night for the youngster, who didn’t really figure much at all in the match.

He faded into little existence until his substitution for Gini Wijnaldum after 65 minutes, but we have to appreciate and understand that at 19, he will have these games.

Klopp kept him on just a few minutes too long though, and that was his fault.