Craig Bellamy scored twice against his former club Newcastle as Liverpool ran out victors at Anfield on Friday night.
Steven Gerrard came off the bench to net his second of the campaign and keep The Reds in hot pursuit of 4th.
Kenny Dalglish made two changes to the side that drew against Blackburn on Boxing Day. Craig Bellamy and Jay Spearing found themselves on the team sheet at the expense of Maxi Rodriguez and Luis Suarez.
Andy Carroll lead the Liverpool line as Luis Suarez served his one game ban for a finger gesture at Craven Cottage earlier in the month. The former Newcastle number nine has endured a tough time at Anfield since his £35million move and was hoping to repay the faith that manager Kenny Dalglish has laid with him by getting one over on his former team.
As they have done for most of the season, Liverpool started the game on the front foot. Daniel Agger starting his 10th consecutive match, the first time in his Liverpool career, surged forward, evading Newcastle challenges before he dragged his long range shot wide. The first piece of action for a packed Anfield crowd.
The tempo to the game seemed grind to an abrupt halt after a promising start, until the 15th minute. Jose Enrique’s low cross along the face of goal failed to find the awaiting Stewart Downing.
The winger then sought to test Tim Krul from long range, but the Dutch ‘keeper was equal to the shot with a save to his near post. The number 19’s first Liverpool goal continuing to elude him.
For much of the opening 25 minutes Pepe Reina was a virtual spectator, Liverpool retained possession and looked the more likely to open the scoring.
However, it was Yohan Cabaye who shocked the hosts to snatch the lead and send the travelling fans into jubilation.
The Frenchman flicked on a searching Ryan Taylor cross, which appeared to be heading towards the bottom corner before a nick off Daniel Agger deviated the path of the ball, leaving Reina no chance.
For the second game running, Kenny Dalglish’s men had to come from behind if they wanted a result out of the game.
They did just that, Liverpool levelled within 4 minutes of conceding. Charlie Adam collected Jose Enrique’s cross and fired it back into the 6-yard box. Taking a deflection, it fell kindly to Craig Bellamy on the penalty spot; the Welshman obliged and squeezed it into the bottom corner with a neat finish beating four Newcastle players on the line.
The almost instant reply inspired Anfield to find their voice, and with it the Liverpool creativity. Martin Skrtel went close to giving The Reds the lead as he glanced Bellamy’s corner just wide.
With Luis Suarez suspended and Steven Gerrard on the bench there was a lack of ingenuity within the Liverpool side. As a result, numerous promising attacks fizzled out without significantly troubling the Newcastle defence.
The hosts maintained their dominance going into the second half, but scenes of Steven Gerrard making his entrance, replacing Charlie Adam, lifted spirits around Anfield.
The inspirational number 8 made an immediate impact; his cross was inches away from Andy Carroll, starved of service for much of the game.
Minutes later, he exposed the Newcastle defence again. This time a delightful ball lofted over the back line found Andy Carroll, but the number 9’s first touch let him down enabling Krul to come out and collect the ball.
Gerrard’s introduction showed snippets of a potential bright partnership between him and the new Kop No 9.
But it was the other ex Newcastle forward who broke Geordie hearts. Craig Bellamy’s 67th minute free kick sneaked in between Danny Simpson and Tim Krul to give the hosts a 2-1 lead.
Demba Ba almost struck back moments later; latching onto a through ball he chipped the oncoming Reina, only for a spectacular goal line clearance from Martin Skrtel to deny Newcastle an immediate equaliser. The Slovakian displaying why he is keeping Jamie Carragher out of the starting line up.
A 3rd Liverpool goal would’ve removed any last minute anxiety around Anfield, it was nearly there when captain Gerrard delivered yet another searching cross for Andy Carroll. This time, the £35mil man fended off the defender and crashed his thumping header into the cross bar. The woodwork denying Liverpool, yet again.
The provider then turned goal scorer, after an impressive 25-minute cameo he capped off his performance with a clinical goal. Jordan Henderson slipped in the advancing Gerrard who coolly slotted through Tim Krul’s legs, just as he appeared to over run it.
FT Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle
MOTM: Craig Bellamy
The ever-present Welshman showcased his abilities once again. Unfazed by facing his former employers he was the catalyst of Liverpool’s attack, scoring two goals in the process.
Sikander Najib @AttackoftheKop
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