Taylor: "We Put Our Bodies On The Line"

By Dan King - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Since Steven Taylor made his first appearance at Anfield back in December 2005, Newcastle hadn't gained so much as a point at Liverpool's famous stadium - until Sunday.

And the Geordie defender did even more than most to help the Magpies earn a 1-1 draw on Merseyside with a vital last-ditch block to deny Raheem Sterling what looked like a certain winning goal.

United had to soak up pressure at the start of the game and again at the end after Fabricio Coloccini was sent off, but defended stoutly and attacked well on the break.

So it was a new experience for Taylor to speak about something other than a defeat as he emerged from the away dressing room at the historic venue.

"The last few times we've came here, we've been beaten and it's been disappointing but the lads can take great credit out of this," he told nufc.co.uk.

"Before the game, we said Liverpool were not in good form and they've struggled in a few games and we were going to try and take advantage today.

"And I thought performance-wise, the lads really stuck at it well. We got the goal that we wanted but I think probably took a bit too long to get going.

"But you've got to give Liverpool credit. They passed it well and they had a point to prove to their fans and everybody so we respected that, kept our shape very well, defended really well and put our bodies on the line.

"We knew they were going to start very quickly and in the first 15 minutes they came on very strong. But we dealt with what they threw at us and the longer it went on we knew we could deal with it.

"They've got some great players - Steven Gerrard, (Luis) Suarez, top quality players, but our lads did well so it's a positive thing."

Taylor became United's only recognised centre-back for the final six minutes plus four long minutes of additional time when Coloccini saw red and he was a huge part of the fine rearguard action in the closing stages.

"You've just got to get your two banks of four," the 26-year-old explained. "We went 4-4-1 because that's all we could do and we had to show great character.

"I think you could see the team spirit at the end - everybody getting together and putting a good shift in.

"Maybe a few years ago they might have scored near the end but we defended so well today to dig it out."

The ex-England under-21 captain's fantastic 76th minute challenge on Sterling proved to be crucial and Taylor admitted: "It was just last-gasp.

"I remember Suarez running and I made him play it wide. He played it to Sterling, who's a very quick player, and I just tried to get there as quickly as I could.

"I got a block in and it went out for a corner, so I was happy with that."

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