Liverpool Get Coaching in 2nd Half

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez usually wears a suit & tie during matches.  However, today he was patrolling the sidelines at St. James' Park in a track suit.  Was this a nod to his owners that told him to focus on coaching the players he has rather than focus on funds for the January transfer window?  Or was Benitez signaling to The FA that he is very serious about interviewing for the England job and that he is as much a coach as a manager?

Either way, he did not have Liverpool ready for the match against Newcastle today.  That was evident from the sloppy passing all over the pitch.  Momo Sissoko was lost once again.  Lucas looked uncertain at the best of times and when Steve Finnan's crossing is off you know something is wrong with Liverpool.  Were it not for Steven Gerrard's wonderful strike of a free kick the first half would have ended scoreless.

Fernando Torres did not bring his shooting boots and Harry Kewell looks a few weeks away from being a threat to do much of anything on the pitch.  But as the sides came out for the second half Liverpool were sharp, confident and deadly.  Newcastle were to be frank, dreadful.

So, had Sam Allardyce not already withdrawn his name from England manager consideration, his side's performances as of late would have canceled him out anyways.  Withdrawing his name seemed the easy way out of a job that would never have been offered to him.  But Benitez had Liverpool passing well, his strikers were working hard and his decision to bring Ryan Babel resulted in a beautiful goal for the Dutchman after a nice combination play with Gerrard. 

The defense was also more assured.  Sami Hyypia has been playing inspirational football in the absence of Danny Agger.  Yes, at times Hyypia has been caught out of position or scored for the opposition.  But he knows how to play alongside Jamie Carragher.  Benitez has apparently been able to wrestle the last bit of contribution out of the aging defender as once Agger is healthy he will walk right into the starting role.

If the Liverpool owners do not provide Benitez the funds he is after in January there will be some fireworks at the club.  Liverpool look a couple signings away from threatening Arsenal for the title.  The squad is extremely talented and have not lived up to their potential.  Both owner and manager can make a convincing case that they are correct.

Whatever was said in the locker room at halftime worked for Liverpool.  They were a different side.  They looked every bit a top 3 side.  Newcastle only got worse as the matched progressed.  This is clearly a testament to the depth at the two clubs, but also the coaching.  Allardyce has gotten nothing out of his bunch.  Benitez has yet to suffer defeat in the league. 

If it is coaching the owners want it is coaching Benitez can deliver.  And if he coaches well enough Liverpool might just push hard for the Premier League title.  His record speaks for itself in Spain and England.  Even the best need a little motivation at times.  But if Benitez decides to start showing up on the sidelines in track suits more often supporters might be a bit concerned he is motivated enough to try his tactics with the English national team.