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Newcastle vs Liverpool: the ominous stat for Steve McClaren - last time he faced Jurgen Klopp he lost, and was sacked nine days later

The defeat by Klopp's Borussia Dortmund ended his Wolfsburg reign

James Orr
Sunday 06 December 2015 13:14 GMT
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Steve McClaren reacts on the touchline
Steve McClaren reacts on the touchline (Getty Images)

The omens are not looking good for Steve McClaren, the struggling Newcastle manager.

Today he faces Jurgen Klopp's in-form Liverpool.

The last time McClaren faced Klopp, his Wolfsburg side were defeated 3-0 by Klopp's Borussia Dortmund back in 2011. Then, nine days later, he was sacked.

During the end of his run with the German side, McClaren had won once in 12 games. He has won two out of 14 league matches with Newcastle this season.

McClaren, though, remains convinced that one positive result would turn their season around.

Asked about the mood within the camp, he said: "These players have taken a hit in the last two weeks, the club has and we all have. But it's focused, it's focused and determined.

"The players know and we know that with just one performance, one result, we can turn it around. When confidence comes back, we have got good players, good, talented, young players. As young players, they have got to go through that.

"Football is over a season. We knew there were problems, we knew we would have to build a new culture and environment and a way or working and playing. We knew that would take time and it's taking time.

"But what you are hoping and what you are looking for is the next performance, the next result to turn that around, and that 's how quickly it can be turned around, and Sunday is an opportunity to do that."

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