Benitez enjoys Liverpool return as Newcastle snatches draw

Liverpool - Rafael Benitez returned to Liverpool to earn a valuable point in Newcastle United's battle to avoid relegation as the visitor recovered from two goals down to draw 2-2 on Saturday.

Benitez's side trailed to first-half goals from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana, but Papiss Cisse sparked its revival with a goal soon after the interval and Jack Colback's first of the season sealed a vital fightback.

Newcastle's second-half surge lifted it level on points with third bottom Sunderland and within one point of safety, but it remains in 19th place and has played two games more than its north-east rival.

Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool had been chasing a fifth successive victory in the wake of a resounding 4-0 win over Everton, but have now dropped 17 points from winning positions.

Liverpool's warm welcome for former manager Benitez, who led the club to its famous 2005 Champions League triumph, was still ringing around Anfield when Sturridge showed Newcastle that its opponent meant business.

The England striker was well found in the penalty area by a long ball from Alberto Moreno, and chested down the ball with his back to goal before turning to despatch a low shot past Karl Darlow despite the attentions of two defenders.

It was his 12th goal from only 15 starts in an injury-restricted campaign.

Coming with just over a minute on the clock, it was an early blow for an improved Newcastle side, who was seeking its first win at Liverpool in 22 years on the back of a victory over Swansea City and a promising draw with Manchester City.

The home side was playing with verve and purpose, knowing that a win would hoist it into sixth place, and it was no surprise when Liverpool extended its lead after 30 minutes.

Predator

This time the predator was Lallana, who had already shown some good touches before completing a smart passage of passing play by hitting a superb shot into the top corner when Moreno's pass offered the opportunity for his sixth goal of the season.

Only a well-timed tackle by Jamaal Lascelles on Roberto Firmino in the penalty area saved Newcastle from falling further behind.

The visitor also survived a loud penalty appeal when Paul Dummett appeared to handle, although Liverpool escaped a claim at the other end when Ayoze Perez went down under a challenge from Connor Randall, who was making his home league debut.

When Newcastle attempted to rally, Vurnon Anita blazed well over, and at half-time the visitor looked unlikely to improve upon a wretched record of collecting no away points since a surprising win at Tottenham Hotspur in December.

However, the picture changed dramatically three minutes after the restart when Cisse headed in a cross from Anita at the far post.

It could have been worse for Liverpool minutes later when a swift break by Newcastle saw Andros Townsend shoot over the bar from 15 yards.

Liverpool's riposte, with Benitez now on the touchline directing Newcastle operations, seemed to have brought a third goal only for Firmino to be flagged offside before bundling home the ball.

Instead, the goal came at the other end on 66 minutes after a fine run and cross by Townsend.

Colback's shot from inside the area took a significant defection off centre-half Dejan Lovren, leaving goalkeeper Simon Mignolet wrong-footed as the ball looped past him.

Klopp introduced Philippe Coutinho in an effort to conjure a late winner for Liverpool, while Newcastle sent on former Liverpool player Jonjo Shelvey to shore up midfield and help ensure the visitor held out.