STEVEN Gerrard came off the bench to help ensure Liverpool completed a 3-1 Premier League win over Newcastle United at Anfield. It didn’t live up to previous classic encounters between these two sides, but Liverpool deservedly came out on top after goals from Craig Bellamy in either half and Gerrard’s late strike, and move up to fifth in the table.
Newcastle opened the scoring through Johan Cabaye, but never did enough to win the game and they stay in seventh spot.
The match started slowly with Liverpool playing at far too pedestrian a pace. The first sniff of a chance came for the home side after the quarter hour. Jose Enrique whipped the ball dangerously across the six-yard box, but Stewart Downing dropped off rather than move forwards and the opportunity was gone.
It took a goal from the away side to spring Liverpool into life and it was one with more than a hint of fortune. On 26 minutes Ryan Taylor had time to come back on to his right foot and sweep a cross into the box.
Cabaye got his flick on target, but it came off the shoulder of Daniel Agger, who was marking Demba Ba, and wrong-footed Jose Reina.
It took Liverpool just four minutes to get back on level terms. Charlie Adam did well as he turned onto his right when all thought he would shoot with his left. He blasted the ball across the box and the clearance fell to Bellamy on the penalty spot.
He had a lot to do with defenders rushing to the line, but he expertly hit a low first time shot into the bottom corner, as Liverpool remained on top for the remainder of the half, but failed to create any clear-cut chances.
The start of the second period was much like the first with little action until Gerrard made an appearance on the hour. It completely changed the complexion and ultimately the outcome of the match.
It took him just four minutes to make an impact as he hit an excellent flat cross that just evaded Andy Carroll, then a minute later an even better pass presented an even better chance for the striker, but his first touch was way too heavy.
On 68 minutes Liverpool got in front courtesy of clever play from Bellamy. He stood over the free kick 30 yards from goal and delayed his shot as Danny Simpson rushed back to cover the near post. It allowed Carroll to follow the defender and cause confusion as the Welshman’s ball flew through bodies and into the net.
Newcastle could have levelled a couple of minutes later as Ba met a threaded pass with a lovely first time dink over Reina, but Martin Skrtel did incredibly well to clear off the line.
Gerrard settled it with 15 minutes to go as he slotted underneath Tim Krul from a tight angle after being played through by Jordan Henderson.