Curtis Jones admits Liverpool did something ‘terrible’ during Wednesday’s 3-3 draw with Newcastle

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Liverpool were involved in a crazy game on Wednesday as they drew 3-3 with Newcastle.

The Reds knew it would be a tough evening, with St James’ Park never a straightforward stadium to visit.

However, after such a big couple of results over the past week, Liverpool did not help themselves on Tyneside.

The Reds failed to get going during a first-half in which Newcastle pressed them relentlessly.

With passes going astray all over the place and Liverpool continually putting themselves under pressure, Newcastle took a deserved lead into the break.

Arne Slot addressed Liverpool at half-time, though, and the Reds came out looking better. Curtis Jones soon had them level. From there, it was improved, but Liverpool still weren’t at their best. And speaking after the game, Jones admitted as much.

Curtis Jones admits to ‘terrible’ first-half

Jones was part of a midfield that was perhaps the real problem for Liverpool during the opening 45 minutes.

Ryan Gravenberch had comfortably his worst game of the season so far, looking for all the world like a player who has played far too many minutes.

Alexis Mac Allister wasn’t much better, failing to get near his opposite numbers and picking up a booking which rules him out of Saturday’s final Premier League Merseyside Derby at Goodison Park.

And that ‘soft’ yellow card was something Jones told LFCTV had contributed to a ‘terrible’ opening to the game for Liverpool.

“The first-half it was tough, I thought we were terrible and then we upped it again in the second-half,” said the 23-year-old. “I scored and it changed the whole game and we were back in.

READ MORE: Pat Nevin can’t believe Arne Slot didn’t start ‘extraordinary’ player vs Newcastle

Asked what was different about Liverpool in that first-half, Jones gave and honest verdict.

“I think the energy, that’s what’s been great, we’ve dominated games, had all the ball, scored great, great goals but if you look at the stats at how much we’ve ran and pressed, that’s been the main thing,” he said.

“I think in the first-half we were sloppy, we were slow, we lost a load of duels. We picked up soft, soft cards which shows you’re a little bit slow in your tackles. It was one of those days but the second-half showed us. We’ve got a great team, a great camp and we never, never quite.”

Liverpool must be better at Goodison Park

Given the tiredness on show from the likes of Gravenberch, Slot knows he’ll have to change things at Goodison on Saturday.

The problem is that Mac Allister’s booking now rules him out of that game. The Liverpool head coach has limited options.

Wataru Endo could come in, of course, but it would perhaps not be a game best suited to the Japan captain’s skillset.

As a result, we think it seems likely that Dominik Szoboszlai – who made a difference when he came on – will slot back in, with Gravenberch and Jones going again.

The positives are that Liverpool came away from a difficult game with a point and there’s not much chance they can be any worse than that when pitching up at Everton. Three points needed.