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liverpool handed newcastle a 5-1 thumping last night when the reds traveled to st james park last night. liverpool were in fine form, despite having neither torres or keane on the pitch, and proceeded to dismantle newcastle’s defense from the opening kickoff.

liverpool dominated the magpies and gave them very little ball or opportunities to attack. the reds pushed forward and liverpool’s defensive line was playing very high. it was only thanks to the efforts by newcastle keeper shay given that the score line wasn’t more embarassing for the toons.

it didn’t take long for the floodgates to open. steven gerrard angled a shot off the post and into the net after the 30th minute. moments later veteran sami hyypia doubled liverpool’s lead. hyypia’s powerful header found the net after a great corner kick by gerrard.

liverpool had more chances but were unable to capitalise. the half time whistle was a welcome relief for newcastle’s ailing defenses.

gerrard’s shot beats the keeper, finding the net after deflecting off the inside of the post

hyypia’s powerful header gave liverpool a two goal lead

a close range punt by babel found the net, thanks to some terrible defense

stevie g gets his brace, chipping the keeper, for liverpool’s fourth goal

alonso cooly slotted home a penalty

after the break, newcastle showed an improved performance, earning a few corners, and were able to make the most of it by scoring a soft goal. newcastle were back in the game, only one goal down, but liverpool immediately retaliated with an easy goal thanks to some terrible defense. newcastle were unable to clear the ball, leaving babel to punt home from close range.

the third goal broke newcastle’s resiliance and gerrard took full advantage. a fantastic pass by lucas found gerrard up front. the liverpool skipper held off the defender and chipped the ball over the onrushing keeper. liverpool then finished off with a penalty. babel made a good run but was brought down in the box. alonso did the honours from the spot.

the result has shown what liverpool is capable of when they’re in form. playing with kuyt as the lone striker (keane was benched and torres is still recovering) the reds completely demolished newcastle. liverpool go three points clear at the top of the table, after fulham held chelsea to a draw.

the anfield squad will be feeling full of confidence as they return to merseyside to take a much needed break. benitez, watching from the stands, praised liverpool’s performance without two of their big gun strikers.

liverpool now prepare for their fa cup match against preston north end, followed by stoke, everton and wigan. the reds should be able to make the most of an easy january run, including the all important home game derby against everton, before facing chelsea on february 1st.

if liverpool are still leading the league after the chelsea match, there’s a good chance that they can hang on to take the title.

liverpool regain their position at the top of the premier league after a frustrating 0-0 draw with west ham at anfield last night. chelsea fell to arsenal yesterday, clearing the way for liverpool to take top spot. all three points would have given liverpool a useful cushion, however the reds were denied their chance by their resilient visitors.

liverpool started well and dominated possession, controlling the midfield and putting good passes together. however it was former red craig bellamy who almost stunned the home team with a long range drive that was deflected off the post. liverpool’s best chance of the half came when west ham’s keeper brilliantly saved a shot by benayoun. twice more west ham were forced to save off their line, denying reira and hyypia the chance to score.

liverpool continued to apply pressure and were unlucky not to be awarded two penalties, after an apparent hand ball by a west ham defender. hyypia had two more opportunities, both headers missing their mark. kuyt and gerrard also being denied by west ham’s defense.

west ham pushed forward late in the second half, as liverpool began to tire, but were not able to put together any serious attacks.

despite the win, the anfield faithful showed their disappointment with a chorus of jeers at the final whistle. although liverpool now sit at the top of the table, it was clear that the home team’s performance was below expectations. liverpool are beginning to show a predictable pattern of not getting vital wins at home, to teams who are traveling to anfield looking for a draw.

rafa claimed that liverpool “deserved to win”. yet, there was very little evidence that liverpool deserved anything with their poor finishing.

having taken the lead, liverpool now need to focus on keeping it. the reds have a good run through december. liverpool will be away to blackburn rovers this coming weekend, followed by a midweek game against psv eindhoven in the champions league. liverpool will finish the year with games against hull, arsenal (away), bolton and newcastle. the match against arsenal at emirates stadium will be a tough game, but the rest are easily winable.

liverpool exit the carling cup after being defeated by cup holders tottenham on wednesday. the reds came into the match having already lost to spurs in the premier league, the loss was their first of the season in all competitions. tottenham scored 3 first half goals, but liverpool scored twice to put themselves back in the game. liverpool’s goals came on either side of the break with reserve player damien plessis heading in the first and sami hyypia heading in the second after half time. however the spurs’ fourth goal put the game out of liverpool’s reach.

the reds will not be too disappointed about the loss. with the exception of torres and agger, the entire liverpool side was made up of reserve and bench players. tottenham, still trying to claw their way out of a terrible start to the season, played a strong team.

having exited the carling cup, liverpool can now focus on maintaining their strong start in the league. liverpool travel to bolton this weekend and are at home to fulham next weekend. both games are ‘must win’ matches for the reds.

liverpool progress to the champions league semi-finals after a stunning victory against arsenal. liverpool’s third game against the gunners was a decisive match, after the sides drew 1-1 in their previous two encounters. three games against arsenal in the space of a week proved too much for wenger’s men who, despite early dominance, couldn’t go distance against a classy liverpool side.

the game started in arsenal’s favour, the gunners dominating the first quarter of the game with good passing. liverpool were chasing shadows and losing midfield battles with gerrard playing on the left and the midfield being held by mascherano and alonso. arsenal made the most of their possession, scoring an early goal at the kop end.

arsenal held the lead for about 20 minutes, until sami hyypia equalised. liverpool earned a some possession and a rare corner. captain gerrard curled the shot away from the keeper into the path of the unmarked hyypia, his header finding the top right corner of the net. after the goal, liverpool sprung to life, finishing the first half with more of the ball and had a few half chances to score.

after the break, liverpool continued with their good run, dominating possession. both teams had opportunities to score. arsenal, in particular, missed some golden chances. with 20 minutes to go, wonderboy torres found himself in the box with the ball at his feet. torres turned away from two defenders and unleashing a stunning drive into the top right corner. liverpool had the lead and the kop exploded into celebration.

arsenal, desperate to equalise, brought on walcott and the still recovering van persie. it turned out to be a marvelous substitution, with walcott breaking in his own half, and running almost the length of the pitch to set up an arsenal goal. arsenal now had the lead, on away goals. but moments later, liverpool’s substitute ryan babel, was brought down in the penalty box. the referee pointed to the spot. the penalty was a similar situation to the penalty arsenal were denied last weekend. however, a different referee and a different result, and liverpool had a chance to restore their lead.

captain steven gerrard placed the ball on the spot, then in front of a thundering kop, nailed the ball into the top left corner, completely out of the arsenal keeper’s reach.

with only minutes remaining arsenal surged forward, desperate for another goal. in injury time, arsenal took a long free kick to try and create an opportunity to score. the ball was cleared to ryan babel who caught arsenal on the break. his solo run beating the defender and his shot driven past the keeper, put the result beyond doubt … 4-2 to liverpool.

the game was probably the most exciting match liverpool have played all year. three times this season the reds have drawn 1-1 against arsenal, who are renowned for their flamboyance and skill. this time however, liverpool’s determination, and a bit of luck, saw them through. the gunners had everything going for them in january; they were in 4 cups and lead the league by 6 points. now they’re out of 3 competitions and struggling to catch man united at the top of the table … the londoners are looking at their 3rd straight season without silverware.

liverpool however proved how dangerous they are in europe. the reds have dispatched inter milan and arsenal. now we face chelsea, for the third champions league clash in 4 years, after they beat fenerbache 3-2 on aggregate. the first game will be at anfield and the return match, in chelsea’s favour, will be at stanford bridge.

the other champions league results look certain to go in barcelona and manchester united’s favour. those two teams will play off for a finals berth. it’s possible that liverpool could face all three english teams in their search for more european glory. if we beat chelsea, whether we face barca or manu, it doesn’t matter … the champions league final in moscow is only two games away … and liverpool must be feeling confident that they’re going to make it.

as they should have done during the first match, liverpool have hammered 5 goals past luton city, in their fa cup replay. jamie carragher celebrated his 500th appearance for liverpool, an achievement that guarantees his page in liverpool folk lore. benitez too was upbeat, despite growing rumours and talks of his dismissal.

after a pathetic 1-1 draw away to luton, liverpool fielded a stronger team who dominated the entire match. luton’s defenses held strong for most of the first half, despite crouch and babel missing great opportunities. however luton couldn’t resist indefinitely. during first half injury time, gerrard broke free and passed to torres, he flicked the ball to an unmarked babel whose powerful drive was unstoppable.

in the second half the floodgates opened. gerrard scored in the 50th minute, followed by a hyypia header from a gerrard corner. gerrard scored again just a few minutes later, then a swerving volley from outside the box gave gerrard his hattrick.

liverpool couldn’t have done more to put away a team in virtual bankruptcy and ranks 60 places lower in the footballing ladder.

liverpool need to continue winning and turn around their poor premier league form. games against villa and west ham are perfect opportunities for the reds to cement a top 4 place and give embattled manager benitez some breathing room.

liverpool have been handed victory over arch rivals everton, thanks to two second half penalties. the game started poorly for liverpool after they gave away the opening goal to everton. a defensive error resulted in hyypia scoring an own goal. liverpool were struggling for possession and playing long passes but couldn’t break down their opposition.

the second half started with a penalty to liverpool. hibbert was sent off and kuyt did the honours from the spot. the game looked set to end in a draw, however some good play from liverpool during injury time got them in the box where, the keeper beaten, phil neville handballed on the line. everton’s second red card and second penalty resulted, kuyt again converting from the spot to give liverpool a controversial 2-1 victory.

this is liverpool’s first victory over their derby rivals in over a year … and the players were rightly delighted with the result, even though the result was more luck (and everton mistakes) than it was quality football by liverpool. now that the international break is over, liverpool return to their busy schedule - this wednesday the reds face bestikas (away) in the champions league group, followed by arsenal at home next weekend.

liverpool have been handed their first loss this season by visiting champions league opponents olympique marseille. the final score was 0-1 to marseille and according to benitez, the reds played poorly, not making the most of their chances. torres had early opportunities which were wasted and liverpool were the second best team on the park, thanks to good passing and ball control by marseille.

crouch, sissoko and leto were all surprise starters for the reds who managed to hold marseille out for most of the match. however, a 77th minute wonderstrike put the visitors ahead and forced liverpool to try and find the equaliser. leto, crouch and aurelio were brought off to be replaced by kuyt, vororin and riise. torres again had chances, as did hyypia. but liverpool were not able to break down marseille’s defenses.

the loss puts liverpool in a precarious position. we are now 3rd in the group, with only 1 point from two games. marseille lead the group with 2 wins and porto have 4 points after defeating besiktas. liverpool will need to win all of their 4 remaining matches to guarantee progress to knockouts.

in other news, aussie striker scott mcdonald is celebrating today after scoring the winner against reigning champions ac milan. mcdonald cleaned up after a dida error and celtic ran home 2-1 winners. the aussie striker has had a great start to life at celtic. he’s playing well and scoring crucial goals. this is giving him great experience and putting him in a good position to represent australia when we start our run towards the next world cup in february.