As we approach the end of this game, Kinnear will be wondering what went wrong for his team. They have been outclassed today and need to forget about it and move on.

Lucas tries his luck from just inside the penalty area, but just like many times in the first half - Given makes the save.

Lucas whips in a corner as Liverpool push for number six, but Geremi is in the right place at the right time and clears the ball away.

This result from Liverpool is even more impressive when you consider that Newcastle hadn't lost in the previous six games at home.

Reina is called into action again, this time to save from a Guthrie free kick. It seems that Liverpool are happy with what they have got now.

The pressure is on Chelsea to get a result against Fulham later today now, but one thing is for sure - Liverpool will be top at the start of 2009.

Lua-Lua tries his luck this time as he forces a save from Reina. Better from Newcastle, but it's all a bit too late now.

N'Gog looks to make up for giving the penalty away, but his effort from distance goes wide of the goal.

Newcastle will just want this game to end now as Liverpool will see it as a great chance to improve their goal difference.

Liverpool are awarded a penalty after Edgar brought down N'Gog.

Newcastle still have a lot of work to do if they are to avoid the drop this season and there is no doubt that their defence needs improving.

Geremi gets another chance to strike a free kick towards goal, but his curling effort is saved well by Reina.

If this performance is anything to go by, it really could be the best chance Liverpool have had to win the Premier League for many years.

Guthrie tries his luck from long range, but is a comfortbale save from Reina. One of the first times he has been tested today!

That was a superb goal from the away side, probably the best yet. It is damage limitation for Newcastle now.

Perhaps the fact that Liverpool have scored three goals already today isn't that suprising as they have scored more Premier League goals against Newcastle than any other team.

Superb ball forward from Alonso starts another Liverpool attack, but Gutierrez eventually wins the ball and brings it away from danger.

The pace and the tempo of this game has been reduced somewhat in the last few minutes with Liverpool firmly in control.

The home crowd are still getting behing their team today and who knows what could happen if they get another goal soon.

From the resulting free kick Geremi strikes it against the cross bar from 25 yards out. That was a good effort from the substitute.

Guthrie whips in a free kick before Reina collects the ball at the second attempt. Attack over.

Owen hasn't been involved nearly enough today. This time he loses the ball after Nicky Butt had done well to find him in the penalty area.

Newcastle have only lost two games at home this season and this makes today's performance even more bizarre.

Whatever hope that Newcastle had after their goal has been cancelled out now. Liverpool will be looking for a huge victory.

Newcastle push forward, but after Ameobi had cut the ball back Owen missed it with the goal in front of him. Decent chance.

Should Liverpool play like they did in the first half, this really should be a routine victory for them. Newcastle's goal makes it more difficult though.

Steven Taylor heads the ball wide after a corner from Guthrie. That was a great chance for the defender.

Newcaste will just be hoping that Liverpool can't extend their lead before the break so they can maybe make a few changes and get back into this game.

Corner for Liverpool taken by Gerrard finds Hyypia and once again Given has to make an excellent save to prevent the defender scoring.

Danny Guthrie tries to find the run of Gutierrez, but Benayoun gets to the ball first and plays in back to Reina.

Liverpool are coasting and it seems like the Newcastle players have given up on this game already.

The 2-0 lead is nothing less than Liverpool deserve. They have been dominant throughout and could actually be further ahead.

Every time Newcastle do manage to get hold of the ball, they manage to give it away almost straight away. So frustrating.

Owen finds the back of the net for Liverpool, but Duff was adjudged to have been offside in the build up. No goal.

You really have to fear for Newcastle now. With Liverpool finally breaking the deadlock, it really could be a heavy defeat for them.

Gerrard is involved again as he exchanges passes with Babel, before the latter loses the ball at a crucial moment.

Half chance for Liverpool this time as Gerrard volleys wide from outside the penalty area. He really is getting too much space so far today.

Jose Sanchez Enrique robs Gerrard of possession, but fails to make the most of it as his hopeful ball forward comes to nothing.

Gutierrez wastes a good chance to get the ball into the box as his cross goes straight to the feet of Lucas.

Liverpool are unbeaten in eight games since losing to Tottenham at White Hart Lane and this looks like extending further today. All they need to do is score!

Gutierrez looks to make something happen for Newcastle, but his long ball forward looking for Duff is far too heavy and goes out of play.

N'Zogbia is the man to save Newcastle this time as he clears Hyypia's header off the line. This could be 5-0 already!

Given is in inspired form for his team as he makes another amazing save from Lucas' header.

Another decent Liverpool move comes to a close when Kuyt's deflected shot goes wide of the post.

Liverpool are getting closer and closer. This time, the ball is somehow cleared off the line after Lucas Leiva got on the end of a Gerrard corner.

Speaking of Hyypia, he is making his 450th start in a Liverpool shirt today and he should have marked it with a goal already!

Free kick for Liverpool is curled onto the head of Sami Hyypia, but the defender heads wide from close range. Should have scored!

Damien Duff runs forward looking to take the pressure of the defence, but Jamie Carragher is in his way to win the ball back for Liverpool.

Newcastle just can't get the ball at the moment and Joe Kinnear will be considering tactical changes already.

It's another chance for Liverpool as Gerrard forces an excellent one handed save from Given. Surely it's only a matter of time?

Liverpool are starting to put the pressure on now and Newcastle are looking more and more nervous at the back.

Dirk Kuyt latches onto a pass after good work from Gerrard and proceeds to force a decent save from Shay Given.

Best chance of the game goes to Newcastle as Coloccini volleys just over from inside the penalty area. That was close!

First chance of the game falls to Gerrard, but his effort from distance goes comfortably over the bar.

Yossi Benayoun bursts through the middle for Liverpool trying to make something happen, but is forced to go backwards after failing to get through a packed defence.

Neither team have settled so far and as a result the start to the game has been very scrappy.

Ryan Babel is involved for the first time today, but his cross towards Kuyt is dealt with well by the Newcastle defence.

There is a strange atmosphere inside St James Park today and this could be because of the early kick off or it could be to do with the news about Mike Ashley from earlier today.

Steven Gerrard knocks the ball forward looking for Dirk Kuyt, but Fabricio Coloccini gets their first and clears the danger.

Today's game is very significant for Liverpool as a win would guarentee that they start 2009 at Premier League leaders.