Former Liverpool star slams both Benitez and Newcastle fans after Anfield clash
Former Liverpool star John Aldridge has slammed both Newcastle United boss Rafael Benitez as well as the Toon Army for being “really boring” during their visit to Anfield over the weekend.
The Magpies travelled to Merseyside looking to secure a positive result against the odds, but goals from Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane ensured Jurgen Klopp’s men kept the three points at home in a comfortable 2-0 win.
Giving his verdict on the clash, Aldridge, who made over 100 appearances, scored over 60 goals and helped the Reds win both the top flight title and the FA Cup, said he was not impressed by the tactics employed by ex-Liverpool boss Benitez, or the songs sang by the travelling support.
Writing in his column for the Liverpool Echo, he said: “Regardless of what Rafael Benitez said about changing Newcastle’s approach after the break, I’m not on his wavelength.
“Newcastle did what many others have done coming to Anfield this season by looking to stay deep, defend and walk away with either a point or a narrow defeat. We didn’t have to raise our game to beat Newcastle.
“I thought Newcastle supporters were really boring at the weekend. They just kept on with anti-Liverpool songs as a city.
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“Newcastle fans went down in my estimation with some of their chants. Geordies might say it was just banter, but it wasn’t. It was just boring.”
Newcastle’s next game sees them take on Southampton in a crunch survival clash at St James’ Park, while Liverpool visit fierce rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.
Football Insider verdict
Aldridge’s comments suggest why he has not taken up management since his five-year spell with Tranmere Rovers, which came to an end back in 2001. He must surely recognise that Newcastle simply do not have the talents to compete head-to-head with the Reds, and that frustrating the opposition of such quality is their best chance of sneaking a result. It worked against Manchester United, and although Liverpool have more threat going forward, it was not a poor decision. As for his comments on the supporters, it shows that he is somewhat irked by their comments, be it for the right or wrong reasons, and trying to get that mental advantage over the opposition is the battle in the stands. Newcastle fans one, Aldridge nil.
In other Newcastle United news, the club have opened talks to snap up a Champions League midfielder.