Happinesstan

I understand the reasoning why Rafa 'rested' him last week with his new contract to go with him not being at the training ground long enough to work on a game plan for Southampton and the belief that the same starting side could continue where they left off but I reckon he'll be back starting at Burnley next Monday night. I think so too.

If he'd been on from the start we might have been more penetrative, earlier. It was so tight in the middle, we could have done with his ability to get out of there quickly. Still perfectly satisfied with Rafa's decision to rest him. But it was close.

We're a top 6 club now, the fat one will be asking for an extra £100million.

Agreed, but Merino is arguably the most versatile and therefore the best to have as an option from the bench. He'll get some game time today which will help to continue his development.

Aye that's right, he did. Just unfortunate I guess. S'pose it's fair that Manquillo continues to get his chance. Not much point bringing him in for one match then dropping him. Same as Lejeune for me.

Better the devil you know is the most misguided advice ever. The devil you know, you know is a devil. If you don't know the other alleged devil, then you can't be sure it's a devil at all.

I'm sensing that Rafa is disappointed with Mbemba and Mitro, in training. Didn't he say they needed to save their careers here? Yet he's not even picking them on the bench. Mitro, was obviously suspended and he's on the bench today, but Mbemba being dropped after his brief cameo at left back was slightly unjustified, based on performance alone.

Happy with the team. Keeping everybody involved, resting young talented players who will be vital at the end of season. Hoping we can be comfortable at the 60 mins mark and Mitro will get his chance. And take it. Whatever you think of Mitro, we're probably going to need him at some point.

Never mind Shay, you'll no doubt get that £600,000 back from book sales. I often wonder how footballers would survive without their loyalty bonus for signing for another club and doubling their wage.

Best news since Andy Carroll signed a new contract.

'I can't believe it's not gallowgate flags'.

50 saves of shay.

Have you forgotten that pass with the outside of his right boot to Aarons (I think) against Spurs?

Not Gamez man I didn't believe you but I looked again and it looks nowt like him. Who is it?

I couldn't agree more. But it is a similar situation to the Anita/Yedlin one at the start of last season and now Yedlin is getting rave reviews.

He doesn't stand out at all for me, good or bad. He played his part in keeping Liverpool down to one goal which came from the other side of the pitch. I think Yedlin struggled when he first started, but he had obvious lightning pace, Manquillo doesn't have any stand out attributes at the moment, but he could develop into a capable all-rounder. If he can play the role that Rafa demands then he could be a valuable squad member.

Thinking about that I'm sure Atsu is better on the right. Seemed more dangerous when he played there last season.

Gamez has just begun reading it, Moreno is getting close to the end and Rafa has finished and his cheeks are burning with modest pride. The best banner to ever grace St. James' Park.

Having spent in the region of £18M on left wingers in the summer, I thinks it's safe to say Rafa doesn't rate him there. Is he better on the right?

Without the deflection it doesn't even go down as a shot on goal.

Lush picture that.

Similarly, I loved it when he greeted Klopp, then turned and patted the Magpie mascot on the beak before taking his seat.

You've got to remember that Merino was effectively playing Hayden's usual role today.

looks mental http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2013/04/30/article-2317258-06538A5F000005DC-453_233x423.jpg http://i.telegraph.co.uk/multimedia/archive/01967/Amanda-Staveley_1967929a.jpg Looks like a riddler in that bottom one. Oooh Mossup.

He's just a marvellous human being. Easy to see why the Chelsea fans never really took to him.