Liverpool Dominate at St James Park

Liverpool’s hopes of capturing runners up spot in the Premiership were given a boost with a thoroughly professional performance that earned them a comfortable victory over a sluggish Newcastle United at St James Park.

Within 9 minutes, they were in the lead when Peter Crouch eased between Ramage and Boumsong to head home Jan Kromkamp’s cross and 10 minutes before half time they went further ahead with the best goal of the game. Cisse’s deep cross was headed down to Crouch by Gerrard who pounced on the lay-off to strike low into the far corner.

Five minutes before half-time, a rare lapse in concentration at the back, when Parker crossed for Ameobi to head home unchallenged, allowed Newcastle the luxury of revival hopes, but almost immediately after the interval Boumsong managed to completely miss his clearance and tried to atone by wrestling Crouch to the ground, depriving Newcastle of his services for the remainder of the game and allowing Cisse to extend the lead from the penalty spot. And after that, it was down to two brilliant saves from Shay Given to spare Newcastle further punishment.

Liverpool’s crisp and competitive display will do much to alleviate recent doubts about their ability to create and convert chances and may persuade Raffa Benitez to use the firm foundation of Carragher, Hyypia and Agger together at the back again.