EPL 2017/18: Newcastle United 1-1 Liverpool, 5 talking points

Liverpool were held to another frustrating draw as Newcastle United rallied after being a goal down to pick up a point from their home tie. The away side made a few changes to their starting lineup as Daniel Sturridge started ahead of Roberto Firmino but unlike his previous four starts against the Magpies, he failed to find the back of the net.

Rafa Benitez's side had a clear game plan and despite going behind, they stuck to it rather than being expansive and opening themselves to the Liverpool attack. Coutinho had given Liverpool the lead with a typical strike from outside the edge.

However, Newcastle didn't have to wait long for the equaliser as former Liverpool midfielder Jonjo Shelvey played a defence-splitting pass to Joselu. The Spaniard was through on goal but had to rely on Joel Matip's tackle that ricocheted of him to beat a diving Simon Mignolet.

The second half saw a similar story as Liverpool threatened but couldn't really test Rob Elliot. Here are five talking points from the game.

#5 Sturridge fails to take his chance

Prior to the game, Sturridge was all over social media for his record against Newcastle. In his previous four games (before the recent clash, of course), the Englishman had scored in all four starts against Newcastle. Unlike those games, however, he was hardly given any time on the ball as Newcastle pressed the Liverpool attack quite well in their own half.

Sturridge managed four shots but only one of those was on target and was saved fairly easily by Elliot. Among all the attackers, however, he had the fewest touches (34) and looked off colour at St James' Park.

Against teams that play open football, Sturridge can be effective, but in games like this where he doesn't have the space to run into, the Englishman hardly has any impact.