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Barclays Premier League, Friday 30th December 2011, Anfield, 19:45pm

Liverpool FC 3-1 Newcastle United

Referee: Lee Probert   H-T: 1-1   Att:  44,372

Match Report

Craig Bellamy struck a brace and substitute Steven Gerrard was on target as Liverpool rounded off 2011 with a stylish 3-1 win over Newcastle United on Friday night.

The Welsh forward grabbed his first of the encounter on the half hour mark after the Magpies had stolen in front through Daniel Agger's unfortunate own goal.

The Reds continued to press in the second period and it was no surprise when Bellamy fired home his second with a well-struck free-kick before Gerrard came off the bench to put the seal on victory with a clinical finish 12 minutes from time.

It means the Reds are level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea prior to the rest of the weekend's fixtures.

Ahead of the match Kenny Dalglish made two changes to the side that drew with Blackburn Rovers on Boxing Day.

In came Bellamy and Jay Spearing at the expense of Luis Suarez (suspension) and Maxi Rodriguez, while skipper Gerrard continued his recovery from injury with a place on the bench.

Typically the spotlight was centered on former Magpies striker Andy Carroll in the build-up to the game and it was no surprise to see the big No.9 leading the Reds line as they made a positive start to the proceedings.

Indeed, the Kop could have been celebrating an opening goal inside two minutes but Charlie Adam miscued at the same near post where he had inadvertently given Blackburn the lead just four days earlier.

Next, Agger rampaged forward and fizzed a low effort five yards off target as Dalglish's team sought the early goal that has eluded them on so many occasions in L4 so far this term.

It could and perhaps should have arrived on 15 minutes but despite some intelligent build up from Bellamy and former Magpie, Jose Enrique, there was no-one hungry enough to make the burst into the six yard box that the Spaniard's drilled cross required.

The visitors were doing their best to offer some sort of threat on the counter but even when the opportunity arose they failed to make any headway, with referee Lee Probert's unintentional intervention teeing up Adam to rasp a shot over from 30 yards.

The lively Stewart Downing continues to search for his first goal for the club and he again came close to opening his account with a near post drive that had Tim Krul diving low to his left to keep at bay.

There had been several pre-match calls from some Kopites to light the touch paper for the encounter by evoking an atmosphere akin to that of Anfield's famous European nights, but as the half reached the midway point it was the visiting support who were in stronger voice.

Their side had rarely troubled Pepe Reina in the Liverpool goal but on 25 minutes they stunned the Spaniard by striking the first blow.

Ryan Taylor sent a dangerous ball into the middle that was flicked towards goal by Yohan Cabaye before nicking off Agger and flying into the middle of the net.

It was a huge blow for the hosts but they reacted in the best way possible and within four minutes they had restored parity.

Adam rescued Enrique's left wing cross on the far side of the Newcastle area and immediately looked to fire the ball back into the danger area. The Scot's low centre was diverted towards the penalty spot by a desperate Newcastle foot, allowing Bellamy to steady himself and steer a fine shot into the bottom right-hand corner of Krul's net.

The roar of approval from the home support inspired more purpose in Liverpool's attacks in the final moments of the first period and they could easily have gone in ahead had Martin Skrtel's flick-on from Bellamy's left-wing corner dropped an inch nearer to Adam at the far post.

The Reds maintained the front-foot following the interval without truly hurting the Newcastle backline.

In fact, as the hour mark approached a long range piledriver from Downing was all they had mustered in terms of attempts of note.

There was a clear need for some inspiration and Dalglish responded by replacing Adam with his skipper. The No.8 has so often given his teammates a lift in times of need and he almost made an instant impact, curving in a delicious right-wing cross that Carroll came within a whisker of converting.

Five minutes later and the club captain was it again, sending an even better ball over the top that put the former Magpies hero clean through on goal with just Krul to beat. However, the England forward's first touch was far too heavy and a gilt-edged opportunity went begging.

There was a growing feeling it was going to be another one of those frustrating days for Liverpool but they reckoned without the enterprise of Bellamy.

The Welshman had been a constant menace throughout and produced a moment of magic to give the home team the lead on 67 minutes.

The No.39 assumed command at a free-kick 25 yards from goal and whipped over an effort that confused both Danny Simpson and Krul to drop into the far corner of the net.

It was no more than the Reds deserved but they were almost made to pay for switching off just moments later when Demba Ba seized upon a clever through ball and clipped a shot over the advancing Reina, only to be denied by a magnificent goal-line clearance by Skrtel.

Back up the other end and Gerrard was the supplier-in-chief, delivering a mouthwatering right-wing cross that Carroll crashed against the crossbar with a thumping header.

The skipper had been a real shining light for Liverpool following his introduction and he capped it off with the third of the night 12 minutes from time.

A neat touch by Jordan Henderson put the midfielder in on goal and took his time before picking the ideal moment to slot the ball underneath Krul and into the far corner.

It was the perfect way to round-off 2011 and means the Reds will now head into the New Year with their top four hopes very much alive.

Team Line-Up's
Liverpool Newcastle United
Pepe Reina Tim Krul
Glen Johnson Danny Simpson
Daniel Agger Mike Willamson
Martin Skretel Fabio Coloccini
Jose Enrique  Ryan Taylor
Jordan Henderson Gabriel Obertan
Charlie Adam Cheick Tiote
Jay Spearing Yohan Cabaye
Stewart Downing  Jonas Guiterrez
Andy Carroll Haris Vuckic
Craig Bellamy   Demba Ba
Substitutes Substitutes
Alexander Doni Rob Elliot
Jamie Carragher Davide Santon
Steven Gerrard  Hatem Ben Arfa
Martin Kelly Leon Best
Maxi Rodriguez James Perch
Jonjo Shelvey Sammy Ameobi
Dirk Kuyt Shola Ameobi
Substitutions
Davide Santon for Ryan Taylor 45'
Steven Gerrard for Charlie Adam 59'
Haris Vuckic for Hatem Ben Arfa 66'
Dirk Kuyt for Craig Bellamy 75'
Sammy Ameobi for Gabriel Obertan 85'
Goals
Craig Bellamy 30' Daniel Agger 25' OG
Craig Bellmy 67'
Steven Gerrard 78'
Yellow Cards
Jonas Guiterrez 28'
Ryan Taylor 36'
Red Cards
Referee
Lee Probert
Attendance
44,372
LFC Player Ratings
Pepe Reina
7/10
Glen Johnson
7/10
Daniel Agger
7/10
Martin Skrtel
8/10
Jose Enrique
7/10
Jordan Henderson
7/10
Charlie Adam
6/10
Jay Spearing
7/10
Stewart Downing
7/10
Andy Carroll
8/10
Craig Bellamy
9/10
Substitutes
Alexander Doni
DNP
Jamie Carragher
DNP
Steven Gerrard
8/10
Martin Kelly
DNP
Maxi Rodriguez
DNP
Jonjo Shelvey
DNP
Dirk Kuyt
7/10
Referee
Lee Probert
7/10

Match Stats

LIverpool   Newcastle United
55% Possession 45%
7 Shots On 2
8 Shots Off 3
7 Corners 0
7 Fouls 11
0 Yellow 2
0 Red 0


Head to Head - Newcastle United