Steve McClaren: Beating Liverpool is the spark that will turn Newcastle's season around

Steve McClaren celebrating Newcastle's 2-0 win over Liverpool

STEVE McCLAREN believes Newcastle's shock win over in-form Liverpool can ignite their season.

 

The Toon chief was under mounting pressure after heavy defeats against Leicester and Crystal Palace had sucked his side into the relegation zone.

But a Martin Skrtel own goal and Georginio Wijnaldum's seventh of the season threw McClaren and his side an unlikely lifeline.

Afterwards, he revealed Wijnaldum was one of several players he had considered axing in the wake of the 5-1 debacle at Palace.

Now he is praying yesterday's spirited display will breath fresh life into his side.

 

McClaren celebrating with match winner Georginio Wijnaldum at the final whistle

"Hopefully that is the lightbulb moment which turns it around," said McClaren. "The result will stop me banging my head against a wall.

"We have had false starts two or three times when we've felt we've turned the corner. But if we play like that week in, week out, we may not always get results but we'll keep the fans onside."

McClaren admitted he has endured a fraught fortnight.

"It's been a tough two weeks. The team and all of us have taken a lot of criticism - and rightly so," he said.

"We had to keep quiet. The only response we could give was on the field and we gave it today.

 

"We knew we had to outwork Liverpool but we showed what we are capable of.

"My players had to be dragged off because they were absolutely exhausted but that's how we have to play."

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp will hold an inquest after this shock defeat, admitting; "Nearly everything went wrong. At the start, the middle and at the end."

Having watched his side dazzle in recent away games against Chelsea, Manchester City and Southampton, the German saw Liverpool lose with barely a whimper.

And though he was upset that Alberto Moreno had a goal he described as "world class" incorrectly chalked off in the 79th minute, Klopp had no complaints about the outcome.

 

"There was no rhythm from our side and we were not creative," he said.

"Their first goal was a Christmas present but we were not good enough.

"Now we have to take this game and find a reason, ask ourselves why it happened.

"We cannot ignore it and say no problem. If you do not feel defeat, something is really wrong, And we feel this defeat. It hurts."

Klopp will not overreact, however, adding: "You do not go nuts if you win and you do not go crazy when you lose. This was not a reality check, just a bad game."