OPINION
Rafa Benitez must chuck Newcastle United midfielder Isaac Hayden out the door as soon possible after he wasted his opportunity to impress against Liverpool.
While there were few Magpie players who could argue they played well during the 4-0 defeat to the Reds at Anfield on Wednesday, Hayden was among the worst offenders.
The 23-year-old submitted a gutless display that saw him reduced to being a passenger during his latest outing and you have to ask why a player who barely gets a look in wouldn’t throw everything they had at trying to impress.
Hayden was only making his sixth appearance of the season and while facing Jurgen Klopp’s side is a hard task, his lack of fight and desire to overcome the odds were big red flags.
The Magpies midfielder’s display was only made worse when Benitez opted to hand Sean Longstaff his first taste of Premier League action by beginning him on to the pitch to replace Kenedy when there was 20 minutes left of the match.
This was because the 21-year-old was chomping at the bit to make an impression and it showed.
Longstaff nearly had a success with a late chance and it showed how a little fire and hunger could see a player do well even when facing a very impressive Liverpool side.
Given that Hayden didn’t even look up for the fight, Benitez needs to get rid of him soon as the January window opens as he needs players willing to leave it all on the pitch as the club look set to be in the relegation fight once again.
The 23-year-old was left in limbo after the Magpies opted to deny him a summer exit despite him requesting one for personal reasons, as reported by the Daily Mirror, and seems that Hayden’s head might be elsewhere.
While the midfielder may have fantastic reasons for wanting to move, you still feel his performances should be better but seeing as they’re well below par then the Magpies have to wave goodbye despite previously opting to hold on to him.