Rafa Benitez is undeniably a legendary Liverpool manager.
The Spaniard led the Reds to possibly the greatest night in their recent history when they managed the Miracle in Istanbul - when Liverpool came from 3-0 to win the Champions League in 2005.
A year later, Benitez masterminded a famous FA Cup win over West Ham and ended his spell at Anfield with a win rate of just over 55 per cent from 350 matches.
It is fair to say he has a close bond with Liverpool as a club and a city.
So with the Reds embarking on a Premier League title charge, sitting a point behind Manchester City with two games to go, there were obvious question marks over his tactics as he welcomed his old club to his new one, Newcastle .
Those questions were asked slightly louder after the Merseyside club took an early lead at St James' Park.
Virgil van Dijk was given a free header from Trent Alexander-Arnold's corner in the 13th minute, which the Dutchman easily converted.
Social media was awash with hypothesis as to why it was so easy for defender van Dijk to score - with plenty suggesting Benitez had sent his team out to not mark the PFA Player of the Year.
One user wrote on Twitter :" Agent Benitez telling Newcastle not to mark VVD"
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Another added: "Agent Rafa: “Don’t worry about marking or covering Virgil Van Dijk at corners. If you see him, just let him get up to one. Got it?”"
Trevor wrote: "BOOM!!! VVD with a bullet header! Ta very much Rafa!! Made sure he was totally left free!! #agentrafa "
Chris joked: Agent Rafa, great tactical defending. Van Dijk didn’t even have to jump in the 6 yard box unmarked. Embarrassing."
Newcastle equalised soon after through Christian Atsu before Mo Salah slotted the Reds backahead.
