Newcastle vs Liverpool - McClaren mindful of Liverpool threat to fragile confidence

Posted Saturday, December 05, 2015 by PA

Steve McClaren has admitted Newcastle's fragile confidence could be obliterated if they allow Liverpool to slip into top gear on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp's men marched into the Capital One Cup semi-finals with a 6-1 demolition of Southampton on their own pitch in midweek, and head for St James' Park having lost only once in 11 attempts under their new manager and with seven victories in their last eight games in all competitions.

By contrast, the Magpies are in disarray once again after successive defeats in comprehensive fashion by Leicester and Crystal Palace sent them hurtling back into the Barclays Premier League drop zone, and McClaren is only too aware another drubbing by the Reds could shatter whatever confidence his players have managed to regain in the last week.

He said: "That is always a possibility. That's why we have to make sure we are at our best individually.

"It is a game which we know - and the players know - we'd better be at our best in terms of attitude, work-rate and all the nitty-gritty things to keep this Liverpool team at bay, because they are the form team in the Premier League at the moment.

"What we have talked about a lot is, we have conceded 30 goals in 14 game and that's not good enough. We came away from Bournemouth and that was two clean sheets and we thought we might have turned a corner.

"But in the next two, we conceded eight. The frustrating thing about everything is the inconsistency. Consistency, when you haven't got that, is as fragile as confidence."

Liverpool have lost on three of their last six visits to Tyneside, but their two victories during that spell have been handsome, a 5-1 drubbing in December 2008 and a 6-0 blitz in April 2013.

Klopp admits he was too optimistic about Philippe Coutinho's injury and he may not yet be ready to return.

Having just got key players Daniel Sturridge and Jordan Henderson back from long absences the Reds boss is now waiting for the return of his Brazilian playmaker, who has missed the last three matches with a hamstring problem.

He was expected to make his comeback against Newcastle but his recovery is taking longer than expected.

"I like optimism, really, but with Phil we were too optimistic," said the German.

"Sometimes it happens like this and there is nothing to criticise - he has tried everything he can.

"He trained nearly normally but he doesn't feel comfortable and we have to take care of this because the muscle is a dangerous thing when you always feel it a bit.

"He is training and we will wait. I can wait every day, it is no problem if someone tells me 'Now he is available' and next time he will play with us, no problem.

"Yesterday no-one gave me this sign so today we have to wait again."

The absence of Coutinho is offset by the returns of Sturridge, who scored twice in Wednesday's 6-1 demolition of Southampton in the Capital One Cup, and Henderson.

Both are in line to start - Henderson could be promoted from the bench as midfielder Emre Can serves a one-match suspension - as Liverpool's squad edges closer to full strength.

Klopp accepts Sturridge's comeback has to be managed after the length of his time out with thigh, calf, hip and knee problems.

"I think it is completely normal with a player with along injury history," he added.

"Obviously he did well in the last game and the plan before the game was to play about 55-60 minutes so that is what we did.

"Of course he felt each muscle after the game, that is normal because it was intensive, but in this moment he is available for the weekend and we will see."

Henderson has made two short substitute appearances - his first since the second game of the season after a heel problem was followed by a broken foot.

"It is a good example to explain how players have to be handled differently because Hendo is a worker and he needs to be absolutely fit and that is the difference," said Klopp.

"For him it was better how we did it in the last two games but it was perfect to have him back as an option on the bench that we can bring him into the game.

"Hendo made a big step in the last few weeks and that is the best news.

"There was some doubt about the heel but he feels good and that is really good for us when you see who we will play in December and January.

"It is important we give him time to come in."