OPINION
If there was one player inclusion that shocked Newcastle United fans the most on Boxing Day, it would most certainly have been striker Joselu.
Fans have vented their frustrations about the Spaniard time and time again this season, so they must have been shocked when he was chosen to start on Wednesday – against Liverpool of all teams.
What planet must have Rafa Benitez been on when he decided it was a good idea to field Joselu at Anfield?
The forward has been misfiring in every opportunity that has been presented to him this season, and that certainly showed after the Reds thumped United 4-0.
Mo Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane all provided a masterclass in how to be threatening in attack on Wednesday, but Joselu is unlikely to pay any attention.
In fact, Benitez even justified his inclusion on Wednesday, although it is highly unlikely that the Newcastle supporters will care after being embarrassed on all areas of the pitch.
“When you have a few games in a few days, you need fresh legs, and you in these kind of games you have to play with intensity, too,” he said, as quoted by the Shields Gazette.
As much as this is a valid point, any manager would be barking mad to opt to keep their best chance of scoring on the bench against a top team like Liverpool.
Salomon Rondon was their best chance of getting something, but he was left on the bench – somewhere Joselu should have been on Wednesday.
In fact, that must be where he ends up permanently, as Benitez needs to axe him as soon as possible.
Benitez must resist the urge to start the 28-year-old on Saturday, as he is just an accident waiting to happen – and if Benitez continues to do so, Newcastle will begin to go downhill incredibly quickly.
It just goes to show you just how weak United are in attack if the only over player they can rely on has as little quality as Joselu.
Over to you, Rafa.
