Reds enjoying the ride so far

Driving to Newcastle, the ground is suddenly there in front of you, almost before you know it, dominating the city centre as the club does for the lives of so many of the locals. As the opening game of 2019 for these teams, it was one being greeted with relish by both sets of supporters.

Rafa Benitez, very much a United foe from the past considering his Liverpool allegiances, is much loved by the Geordie public. And the same can certainly be said of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, somebody who rivals most former Reds for the most number of terrace chants in his honour.

The Reds were buoyant approaching kick-off after three successive wins during Ole’s tenure but this was likely to be the sternest of…