Liverpool overcame a blow suffered even before kick-off to secure a 2-0 home victory over Newcastle which keeps their hopes of Champions League qualification alive.
Manager Brendan Rodgers was dealt a significant set-back ahead of Monday night’s Anfield clash with news Daniel Sturridge had pulled out of the squad with injury, making him a doubt for Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa.
It meant the hosts were again forced to line up without a recognised frontman and though they would have benefitted from a striker’s touch in front of goal, Reds starlet Raheem Sterling and midfielder Joe Allen were on hand to seal the three points against the ten-man Magpies.
Sterling opened the scoring inside ten minutes with a sumptuous finish from Jordan Henderson’s stunning diagonal pass. The 20-year-old brought down his England team-mate’s cross, jinked inside and curled a right-footed finish beyond the stretching Tim Krul.
Liverpool really should have made the scoreline more glamorous in this one-sided affair, with Sterling guilty of a real howler in the second half when he somehow fired wide from mere yards out with the goal at his mercy.
Newcastle were all over the place at times but Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet was forced to pull off a brilliant save to deny a header from Ayoze Perez on the stroke of half-time, while they earlier had claims for a penalty turned down.
Perez showed some neat close-control footwork in a rare Toon attack, only to be brought down by the clumsy Dejan Lovren, but the visitors’ appeals were waved away by referee Lee Mason.
The Magpies failed to build on their stronger end to the first-half, however, and while Liverpool threatened to romp to victory, their swift attacks often broke down through a sloppy final pass.
Midfield maestro Philippe Coutinho once again dazzled the Anfield crowd with a series of inspired flicks, touches and lightning-quick runs, but again the final ball was lacking as the Brazilian’s brilliant play often came to nothing.
A second goal seemed inevitable and Liverpool finally found the net again with 20 minutes remaining through Wales international Allen, who slammed a shot home after a fluffed clearance fell nicely for him in the box.
It only got worse for Toon boss John Carver, who will now be without key midfielder Moussa Sissoko for three matches after his late sending off for a horror challenge on Lucas.
For Liverpool, meanwhile, the win comes as a huge relief following back-to-back defeats, with the three points bumping the Reds up to fifth place and just four points adrift of fourth place Manchester City.
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