Full time, Liverpool 3-0:
Four minutes added
Ferguson on for Enrique
Liverpool holds it in their own half, but Gutierrez intercepts and wins a corner.
The corner is cleared for another corner, and the subsequent effort is cleared for a counter.
Kuyt, though, takes a shot from distance — blocked. The whistle blows.
89′, Liverpool 3-0:
Cole on for Suarez
Cole comes on for Suarez, who receives quite the ovation.
Johnson goes down with an apparent leg strain, and Kuyt tries to stretch him out. He seems to be okay, so play resumes.
A good ball in is cleared for a corner by Skrtel. The corner, as usual, comes to no danger.
85′, Liverpool 3-0:
Kuqi on for Ameobi
With the game killed off, play has opened up somewhat, with Newcastle seeing much of the ball and Liverpool having good countering chances.
Ranger tees up Nolan at the top of the area, but his shot is too high, but close to the target.
81′, Liverpool 3-0:
Shelvey on for Flanagan
Newcastle win another free kick at the top left of the area. It is taken short to Gutierrez, and he wins a corner.
Reina, however, grabs the corner at the far post with ease. Reina then releases Kuyt for the counter. He finds Suarez in the middle, but all of his options for through balls are offside.
At the other end, a ball is sent for Ameobi in the area, and he goes down with contact, but no penalty is called on Skrtel.
77′, Liverpool 3-0:
A quick ball into the area finds Meireles’ head, and he nearly gets the ball on target with power from the top of the area, but it is deflected wide for a corner.
The corner is cleared easily, and Newcastle has a chance to counter. They, however, opt to hold up play and bring numbers to the final third. Eventually, the ball ends up in Reina’s hands.
On their next attack, Gutierrez wins a corner. Barton finds Nolan at the far post, but it gets caught at his feet. Tiote takes a shot from distance, but it is wide — goal kick.
73′, Liverpool 3-0:
Ranger on for Lovenkrands
Liverpool makes another good attack with Flanagan getting a dangerous cross in, but it is cleared by Krul.
Flanagan concedes a throw deep in the Liverpool half, but they cannot create danger.
69′, Liverpool 3-0:
Carroll on for Maxi
Newcastle wins a free kick in the Liverpool half, but Barton’s effort is well long — another set piece squandered.
65′, Liverpool 3-0:
Goal — Suarez — 1-2 in the area with Kuyt
Suarez makes a turn and takes a shot from distance, but his effort is too high.
Barton takes a free kick in midfield, but it is deflected by Meireles. Newcastle holds possession for a spell, but they are ultimately cleared without creating danger.
Suarez makes a run int other area. He tries to pick out Kuyt but the ball is deflected — falling to Kuyt. He flicks it to the center to open up Suarez, and he finishes easily past Krul. Goal! 3-0 Liverpool.
61′, Liverpool 2-0:
Goal — Kuyt (pen) — Won by Suarez
Yellow card — Williamson — Bringing down Suarez in the area
A long release by Reina finds Suarez deep on the left. He beats Williamsom to the end line and turns the corner, but he is brought down — clear penalty. The referee points to the spot. He also gives a yellow.
Krul guesses wrong on Kuyt’s spot kick, and the Reds are up 2-0.
Moments later, Liverpool wins a free kick on the left, and Kuyt has a free header right in front of goal. He, however, knocks it just past the far post.
57′, Liverpool 1-0: Suarez makes a lengthy run in from the left, and he beats Simpson on the end line. Eventually, he wins a corner.
The corner falls in the area dangerously, but nobody is able to get a foot to it.
Lucas commits a foul on the release.
A Liverpool counter is whistled for offside on Suarez.
Another counter releases Maxi on the right, and his cross in hits the crossbar. Liverpool retain possession, but Suarez’s ball is too high and goes for a goal kick.
53′, Liverpool 1-0:
Yellow card – Tiote — poor challenge on Maxi
Maxi is caught by Tiote, and he goes down in midfield. Tiote is shown a yellow card.
Liverpool sustain a spell of possession in the Newcastle half, but an offside whistle against Kuyt ends the threat.
49′, Liverpool 1-0: Newcastle immediately creates a chance from open play, with Nolan finding Barton on the back post for a one-touch shot, but his effort hits side netting.
At the other end, Suarez makes a great run in and gets side netting himself — but deflected for a corner. Meireles’ ball is cleared easily.
Half, Liverpool 1-0:
One Minute Added
Liverpool holds the ball n their own half casually for the final minute or two of the half, and the whistle blows.
44′, Liverpool 1-0: A Liverpool counter finds Kuyt on the ball down the right for an eternity, but after making his way into the area, he can’t quite pick out Meireles in front of goal.
A ball sent in by Gutierrez results in Johnson being fouled by Ameobi in his own area.
40′, Liverpool 1-0: Liverpool come forward for the first time in a while, and a ball in finds Lucas’ head, but his effort is right to Krul.
Skrtel fouls Lovenkrands on the right of the final third.
The ball is cleared easily, but as it bounces around, Meireles fouls Barton.
The next free kick is deflected behind for a corner. The corner is too long for everybody and is cleared. They’ve had nothing but set pieces, but done nothing with them.
36′, Liverpool 1-0: Carragher concedes a corner, and it is taken low by Barton. It is harmless, but deflects behind for another corner.
Meireles blocks the subsequent effort.
Flanagan again fouls Gutierrez on the left — this appears to be the center of Newcastle’s strategy.
Barton’s ball in is a good one, and Reina is caught out, but nobody gets to it and it is deflected behind for a corner. The corner is taken short to Kevin Nolan, but his shot is off target.
32′, Liverpool 1-0:
Flanagan — Yellow Card — Tackle on Gutierrez
Gutierrez makes a quick turn and catches Flangan out of position for a yellow.
The ball in is cleared, and the counter looks dangerous, but Kuyt eventually gives it up in the area.
Gutierrez beats Flanagan down the left, and Spearing tries to cover, but he concedes a corner. Ameobi gets his head to the corner, but his low knock from the far post is cleared.
28′, Liverpool 1-0: Suarez is fouled in midfield by Tiote.
The game has entered a casual phase — neither team is making much out of their possession.
Colocchini is fouled in midfield.
24′, Liverpool 1-0: The ball finds its way back to Lovenkrands’ feet in the area, but Carragher cuts it out and is fouled.
Liverpool comes forward, and Spearing shoots low from the top of the area. It’s a good shot, but Krul saves and controls well.
20′, Liverpool 1-0: Liverpool have numbers forward, but they cannot create a chance in the final third after a series of miscues.
Gutierrez wins a foul against Lucas on the left in the Newcastle final third. The ball is too heavy — well long for a goal kick.
After a spell of possession exchanging, Lucas fouls Tiote in midfield.
Newcastle makes their first decent attack up the center following an Enrique run, but it is cleared for a throw on the right.
16′, Liverpool 1-0: Things open up for Liverpool down the center, but Suarez can’t find the high through pass to Kuyt.
Johnson fouls Ameobi in midfield, and the teams casually trade possession thereafter.
12′, Liverpool 1-0:
Goal — Maxi Rodriguez — Deflected volley off deflected cross
A counterattack opens up Flanagan for a ball in on the right. It is too high for Suarez, but it falls to Maxi, who finishes on the low volley from the far post — heavy deflection from the defender. Goal! Maxi, 1-0 Liverpool.
Things open up for Johnson down the left, but after beating all of the defenders, his low cross is collected by Krul.
8′, 0-0: A longball sends Krul wide to the corner flag, and he shields Maxi from the ball, but almost allows him to go past for an easy goal.
Liverpool wins it on the right, and Johnson sends a low ball in, but to no avail — goal kick.
A Liverpool counter up the right looks dangerous, but Maxi’s shot atop the area is blocked.
4′, 0-0: Liverpool has the first true attack, as the ball is worked up the right to Suarez in the area. He, though, concedes a goal kick after he is defended well.
Gutierrez makes a strong run up the left and wins a corner for Newcastle. Barton’s corner is taken as a line drive, and Reina collects — though nervily.
5 a.m. ET: A Europa League spot remains in play as Liverpool hosts the former club of both Kenny Dalglish and Andy Carroll.
The latter, however, may not play a part in the competition, as the knee injury that kept him out of last week’s contest with Birmingham may again rule him out.
Another of Newcastle’s finest, left back Jose Enrique, has been strongly linked to a move to Anfield, and Sunday’s tie will prove a prime opportunity for Dalglish to see the Spaniard.
Liverpool have dropped just two points in their last five home league matches.
Lineups for the match are as follows. Kickoff is set for 7 a.m. ET.
Liverpool:
Pepe Reina (25), goalkeeper
Martin Skrtel (37), center back
Jamie Carragher (23), center back
Glen Johnson (2), left back
John Flanagan (38), right back
Lucas (21), midfielder
Jay Spearing (26), midfielder
Raul Meireles (4), midfielder
Maxi Rodrguez (17), midfielder
Dirk Kuyt (18), forward
Luis Suarez (7), forward
Substitutes:
Joe Cole (10)
Sotirios Kyrgiakos (16)
David Ngog (24)
Andy Carroll (9)
Jonjo Shelvey (33)
Peter Gulacsi (42)
Jack Robinson (49)
Newcastle:
Tim Krul (26), goalkeeper
Fabricio Coloccini (2), defender
Michael Williamson (6), defender
Jose Enrique (3), defender
Danny Simpson (12), defender
Kevin Nolan (4), midfielder
Cheik Tiote (24), midfielder
Jonas Gutierrez (18), midfielder
Joey Barton (7), midfielder
Peter Lovenkrands (11), forward
Shola Ameobi (23), forward
Substitutes:
Shefki Kuqi (42)
Steve Harper (1)
Ryan Taylor (16)
Steven Taylor (27)
James Perch (14)
Nile Ranger (30)
Shane Ferguson (31)
