Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren were criticised by Matthew Upson for their defending against Newcastle
Philippe Coutinho gave Liverpool the lead midway through the first half with another exquisite strike from outside the box.
But only a matter of minutes later and Newcastle levelled when Joselu broke the offside trap with Matip getting back in time to put a foot in but could only hit his attempted clearance against the striker and past Simon Mignolet.
It leaves Liverpool with just one win from seven going into the international break, although five of those have been away from Anfield.
While Newcastle’s equaliser was deemed fortunate due to Matip’s attempted clearance, it once again rose the question about Liverpool’s defensive woes.
It’s as simple as the two centre halves went to sleep
Matthew Upson
Only West Ham and basement-club Crystal Palace have conceded more this season.
And former England international Upson criticised Lovren and Matip for their positioning prior to Newcastle’s goal.
“It’s as simple as the two centre halves went to sleep,” Upson told Match of the Day 2.
GETTY
Joel Matip's attempted clearance ricocheted off Joselu's leg into the goal
“There’s no hiding place for that. It’s interesting because Liverpool are on the attack, the full-backs are quite high up the pitch and as the ball comes into Shelvey, if you look at Matip and Lovren they’re very square, they’re not adjusting their body position and Lovren doesn’t drop in behind at all.
“Matip only reacts as soon as the ball is about to go past him and that’s too late.
“He does nearly recover but the reaction from both of them, once that turnover happens… at least one of them should have dropped back in behind.”
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