Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool: 5 Talking Points

#2 Big few months for Benitez and Newcastle awaits

Rafa Benitez applauds the boisterous home support, who were in full attendance to enjoy a five-goal thriller

With fans chanting they want him to stay, banners and constant adoration for his service to the club, Rafa Benitez has a big decision to make. Many were sceptical as to his ulterior motives heading into this clash - his current side against his beloved Liverpool. But ultimately, football is a results-driven business and sentiment, as nice as it is, doesn't always breed success at the highest level.

Newcastle are frankly nowhere near the level he expects them to be. After last season, you couldn't begrudge him wanting to leave if he did. The team, despite some complimentary players, are just not good enough and find themselves on 42 points after 37 games - at least nine to ten points away from competing with the likes of Wolves, Everton and Leicester for the coveted seventh place.

That's even before discussing his lofty European ambitions. So naturally, if you want something so bad, you should prove it. In the club's case, they have to back him financially and grant him an adequate transfer budget: but that's easier said than done given the ownership issues and indecision with regards to their long-term future.

It's a case of what his ambitions are, where could he go from here? There is never going to be a shortage of offers from top clubs across Europe, because he's a world-class manager with impressive pedigree.

Despite clearly loving Tyneside and his adoring fans, that might not prove enough to convince him into staying longer with lucrative offers elsewhere. It says a lot about his relationship with the fans but again, he needs more support. If they can't give him the resources he longs for, what's the point of stagnating at a sinking ship? Time will tell.