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EDITOR IN CHIEF- ABDULLAH BIN SALIM AL SHUEILI

Liverpool ready for Benitez reunion

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Newcastle, United Kingdom: Liverpool are seeking to end a frustrating September on a positive note as they face a reunion with their former manager Rafa Benitez at Newcastle on Sunday.


Benitez remains a popular figure at Anfield, having guided Liverpool to the Champions League title with a remarkable victory over AC Milan in 2005, a night remembered fondly at a club who have won just two trophies since then.


Jurgen Klopp’s attempts to bring back the good times have yet to pay off, with Liverpool continuing to look dangerous in attack but vulnerable in defence.


That was illustrated perfectly during last Saturday’s 3-2 win at Leicester, when Klopp’s team twice led by two goals, but only won in the end thanks to Simon Mignolet’s penalty save from Jamie Vardy.


Klopp’s response was to field all four of his main attacking players from the start for the first time on Tuesday at Spartak Moscow in the Champions League.


But for once, Liverpool’s forwards did not produce the goods; Philippe Coutinho scored, but Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino were off target, as was Daniel Sturridge when he came on as a substitute.


That draw means that Liverpool have won just one of their six matches during September, going out of the League Cup in the process.


However, they still went into the weekend sitting fifth in the Premier League, only five points off the top.


“The big improvement of this team in the moment so far is that we really create a lot,” Klopp said.


“We have had a lot of talks in the last two years about when we played against sides who are only defending and we don’t create enough.


“That has changed. We’ve made a big step in this. So far it hasn’t led to the results that we want, but in a few moments you cannot create bigger chances.” — AFP


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