Newcastle 0 – 3 Liverpool

Two teams whose style of play could hardly be called inspiring made for a match I wasn’t looking forward to watching.

Newcastle began like the away side, conceding ground and adopting a 5-3-2 formation at times. It took the whole of 10 minutes for them to begin venturing forward but when they did they came across a Liverpool side equally willing to get men behind the ball.

Liverpool however maintained their momentum, largely due to the home side’s inability to keep possession, and continued to tenuously probe a nervous Newcastle back line.

Torres, who was looking lively, won a free kick within shooting range on 27mins which Gerrard duly sent arrowing into the top corner of the net.

It was a regular day at the office for Liverpool following this as they hung back and rarely got numbers forward. Newcastle had little response as they struggled to get their front men involved and on the one occasion they did on 37mins they saw Viduka’s lay off to Smith produce a speculative volley which was well wide.

The visitors looked to catch the Geordies on the break and just before half time they almost did so perfectly. A through ball found Torres 40 yards from goal but clear through but his shot was blocked by a quick-to-react Given. The ball came back to the Spaniard who saw his attempt to pass it into an empty net come off the post.

Newcastle needed a big change for the second half as it really wasn’t working for them. But in less than a minute they were further behind. Gerrard swung in a low corner came though to ricochet off Kuyt’s shin and into the back of the Newcastle net.

There wasn’t much of a response from a truly clueless looking Newcastle with their fans not given much hope bar the introduction of Milner on 55mins.

Liverpool were in cruise control with Torres occupying the home side’s defence, twice showing his close control as he drove in to the box only to be let down by poor finishing.

It had already looked like game over for Newcastle before they were caught on the counter by Babel’s pace. The Dutch winger played a one-two off Gerrard in the box before smashing the ball home to put the final nail in Newcastle’s coffin.

It could have been worse shortly after as twice Torres was played through but again was found wanting in front of goal.

A completely dispirited Newcastle saw the visitors dominate the end stages as the home fans deserted St.James’ Park.

Liverpool’s economical brand of football serves them well again and leaves Newcastle on the brink of (yet another) crisis.