| Henderson had a very good game for Liverpool... Image: mirror.co.uk |
Liverpool started with Sturridge up front and the skillful Coutinho in midfield. Fabio Borini was also back on the bench which was another positive for the Reds. There was a boost for Newcastle too who had Tiote and Cisse back.
The game started extremely well for Liverpool who quickly got themselves off the mark via defender Daniel Agger. An assist from Coutinho allowed Agger to head home Liverpool's first near the 3 minute mark. It was a refreshing change to Liverpool's recent performances in the league that have ended in nil-nil draws.
Newcastle haven't exactly been playing the most brilliant of stuff lately and they barely got chance to reassess the situation before the away side found themselves another goal. This time it was Jordan Henderson with a goal from inside the box, set up by Daniel Sturridge. Henderson always looks so happy when he scores, I realise everybody does but you can tell with Henderson that it really means a lot to him.
Both Sturridge and Coutinho who set up the first two goals were very impressive in this game. They both proved what a partnership they could forge and after such a brilliant start their confidence only grew throughout the game.
I actually missed the first half and when turning up at the pub for the second the first thing I said was I bet you now we've scored two goals that I've missed nothing else will happen... How wrong I was.
The start of the second half saw two substitutions from Alan Pardew who obviously was aware of Newcastle's current dangerous situation in the league. Hatem Ben Arfa and Yoan Gouffran were brought on in an attempt to get the magpies back into the game.
Things went from bad to worse for Newcastle though as once again with barely a chance to catch their breath, Liverpool had found the back of the net. A cracking goal from Daniel Sturridge appeared as though it was destined to happen with his presence in the game and it was none other than Coutinho who set him up.
This was really encouraging stuff from Liverpool who looked a completely different side to the one we've seen of late. It's bloody frustrating though because I don't think you could find a better example of inconsistency, to finish this game how we did but then earlier in the season lose to the likes of Southampton? Well it's just baffling.
5 minutes later and Sturridge was at it again. This time with an easy finish after a set up from Jordan Henderson, the tap in put Liverpool 4 goals to the good and still with more than half hour left of the game.
Newcastle looked genuinely dumbstruck, they obviously knew this wasn't going to be an easy game but I don't think even Liverpool fans were predicting a performance like this.
Just after the 70 minute mark Brendan Rodgers took the opportunity to bring on Fabio Borini who has been out injured for a while, he replaced Steven Gerrard. I really like Borini I think his appetite for the game is fabulous but I'm the first to admit he hasn't scored enough since his arrival, however I knew he wasn't going to be a double figure man when he arrived. I actually joked that he wouldn't find the net when he came on but he shut my mouth pretty quickly.
Just a minute after he'd stepped on to the pitch he was assisted by Downing and with an almost toe poke sent home Liverpool's 5th of the game. He of course celebrated with his infamous dagger in the mouth celebration and hilariously apparently today The Sunday Mirror have said that this celebration was a nod to Luis Suarez, they obviously didn't follow him in his Roma days then, divs.
Shortly after the Borini goal Newcastle's performance was clearly grating on some of their players and a second yellow card for Debuchy saw him leave the field. With 10 men now on the pitch Newcastle had almost given up but Liverpool still weren't quite finished yet.
Another goal for Jordan Henderson on the 75 minute mark would complete the Reds' rout. A free kick awarded on the edge of the box allowed Henderson to send his effort all the way through the crowd and into the back of the net. It was a brilliant effort from Hendo.
Suso and Shelvey were brought on in the dying minutes but Liverpool had already settled the score here at St James' Park and at the final whistle the travelling Kop were clearly ecstatic with the performance they had just seen.
It's just a shame we can't play them every week!
Next up for Liverpool is the slight matter of the Merseyside Derby at Anfield.