Shearer insists recent criticism of Newcastle ‘justified’ but praises

Alan Shearer believes Newcastle have been rightly criticised for their performances in recent weeks but insists they have established ‘something to build on’ following their goalless stalemate with Liverpool.

Steve Bruce’s side crashed out of the Carabao Cup in their quarter-final tie at Championship side Brentford last week, just a few days after drawing at home against relegation-threatened and 10-man Fulham. 

But the Magpies picked up their first Premier League points since beating West Brom earlier this month with a resolute display against Jurgen Klopp’s top-flight champions at St James’ Park on Wednesday.

Alan Shearer (right) says Newcastle have been fairly criticised but said they now have a building block following their draw against Liverpool

The Magpies crashed out of the Carabao Cup in their quarter-final tie at Brentford last week

And while admitting his former club have deserved criticism for recent results, Shearer said that the performance against the Reds was ‘more like it’ and urged them to continue being more of a threat in attack. 

Asked if Newcastle are aiming higher than just maintaining their top-flight status, Shearer told Amazon Prime: ‘Absolutely they have got more [ambition] than that and that is why it has been so frustrating at times, but the criticism has been justified.

‘When you draw with Fulham, when you go out of the cup in the way they did then that is not acceptable and not good enough.

That came after Steve Bruce saw his side draw at home to relegation-threatened Fulham

‘You have got to take that on the chin when people complain. Tonight is more like it and it is something to build on, they got the ball forward quicker, they were a threat and that has got to continue.’

The former striker in particular was pleased with Newcastle’s attacking display and was pleased to see chances created as well as defending resolutely. 

‘I think what will have pleased Newcastle today, and pleased the Newcastle fans, is that they expect Liverpool to have most of the ball,’ Shearer added.

‘But what they [the fans] want, need and crave is that when Newcastle do have the ball, they are actually a threat, and that was the difference this evening.

But they recorded a draw against the champions, something Shearer says they must build on

‘When they had it they created…