Archive
Papiss Pleased To Be Back Among The Goals
Written by Newcastle Utd
Goalscorer Papiss Cisse revealed the half time message from Rafa Benitez that inspired United's comeback at Liverpool
By Tom Easterby - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Goalscorer Papiss Cisse has revealed the half time message from Rafa Benitez that inspired Newcastle United's comeback in the 2-2 draw at Liverpool on Saturday.
Goals from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana had put the Reds in command at Anfield, as United struggled to create any scoring opportunities of their own in the first 45 minutes against Jurgen Klopp's men.
But Cisse's header from Vurnon Anita's fine cross just after the break got Benitez's side back into the contest, before Jack Colback's first of the season levelled the scores and earned Newcastle a valuable point.
The Senegalese forward, who has started the Magpies' last three games, admitted that Liverpool were quicker out of the traps on Merseyside, but lauded the "reaction" of his teammates as they fought back after a disappointing first half showing.
"They (Liverpool) are doing very well at this moment, so in the first 15 minutes I think we were waiting and it was very quick from the other side," the 30-year-old told nufc.co.uk.
"Everyone knew that we needed a point now, and we started very, very badly. But the reaction in the second half was very, very good - amazing - for the team and all the players.
"The message was 'you don't have anything to lose now - you have 45 minutes to give everything you have'. All the players knew that, and they came back and gave everything. In the end, to have one point is an amazing point."
Cisse's 48th-minute header was the Magpies number nine's first goal since he netted in the defeat at Crystal Palace in November.
And while he expressed his relief that he had finally got his name back on the scoresheet, Cisse said that his sole focus was on helping his team retain their Barclays Premier League status in the final three games of the campaign.
"It's been a long time since I scored a goal, and it's very, very important for me to get it and some confidence," he said.
"My objective is to try and keep this team in the Premier League, and that's my only objective. Every game I try to do my best to help the team, to help the fans, so today I'm happy to score."