Newcastle lost again yesterday. Eddie Howe has enjoyed a free ride this season, but Liverpool know the truth about their key ‘strengths’.
Few teams have more sympathy for Eddie Howe’s current plight than Liverpool. This season has been truly disastrous for Newcastle in terms of injuries, rivaling Jurgen Klopp’s biggest crisis to date.
This, along with the credibility already existing in the bank, certainly won Howe favor with those in power. Newcastle’s expensive project last season was deemed premature to secure Champions League football.
But with all that in mind, Howe could be under much more intense scrutiny. The bottom half are closer to the top four and much of last season’s good work is now at risk of being lost as their European adventure draws to a close.
In the end, Liverpool’s injury-hit campaign was anything but hopeless. Klopp, along with Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Joe Gomez, secured Champions League qualification for the 2020/21 season. Newcastle need to average around 2.6 points per game to reach the same score in the second half of the season.
Last season, Liverpool were further bogged down by injuries and failed to finish in the top four, giving Howe’s side the upper hand. However, it is interesting to note that during that struggle, United lost just once at home. Newcastle have also relied on their home record this season. Perhaps this is not a big surprise. There are some similarities between the two sides in that both have notorious fan bases that can create an incredibly intimidating atmosphere when sparks fly.
Howe considers himself very fortunate to be compared to Klopp in many departments, but there are one or two similarities in his management. He knows how to strengthen cohesion, draw crowds and further strengthen the home advantage.
As a result, Newcastle are in second place, despite having played more away games than many other teams (including Liverpool). Away games are almost unbelievably bleak by comparison. Howe’s side are 18th with five points from nine away games. The most recent 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest came at the former St James’ Park.
This was their second league defeat of the season, beating Liverpool, who suffered injury last season. Howe didn’t want to think about where he would be without his home run record. The answer may be very simple. With Newcastle being relegated while on the road, he will be out of a job.
But even his greatest weapon, his home record, is not the fearsome, mythical weapon that Liverpool boast at Anfield. You cannot afford to lose the well-being of your team.
If Newcastle falter, the form at St James’ Park will eventually go in the same direction, even if it takes a little longer. Of course, Liverpool are behind after home games against Manchester United and Arsenal.
But this is the only disappointment at Anfield all season and their unbeaten home run will likely be enough to at least get them into the Champions League talks. Even at worst, Liverpool know they can break the Anfield record again to stay on points. Newcastle reminds us how precious it is. Howe will hope to reach those heights if given time.
