A cold night at Anfield in December did little to spark life into Newcastle United's flailing Premier League campaign. However, it will be remembered as the evening that laid the foundations for one of the most remarkable turnarounds in the club's history.
Eddie Howe's inspired decision to start Joelinton in midfield against Liverpool that night left heads being scratched in the away end on Merseyside. But by the time the full-time whistle sounded, fans were already pondering whether the new Magpies boss had struck gold.
The call to drop the struggling striker deeper was one very few had thought up. Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock were both fully fit for the away clash but were overlooked in favour of this radical new plan.
