It was a comfortable win for the Reds at Anfield, netting three goals and bagging three points against a rather lacklustre and absent Newcastle.
Maxi Rodriguez took the lead for Liverpool with a deflected strike past Tim Krul, with not even ten minutes on the clock.
The first half fizzled out with not much more of note happening, Newcastle enjoying more possession but not making much of it.
Halfway through the second half, it was game, set and match for Liverpool - first Dirk Kuyt netting the penalty after Luis Suarez was brought down just inside the box by Mike Williamson and then Suarez himself sealing the Magpies' fate sidefooting a third goal in after a nice one-two exchange of passes with Kuyt.
The travelling fans may have felt let down by their team just as much as the referee, some of Peter Walton's decisions looking rather dubious and harsh against the visitors.
However, Newcastle were nowhere near taking advantage of their possession and advances anyway, Liverpool staying on top on the pitch as well as the scoreboard and not looking like they were going to let go of that at any point in the match.
Deserved goals, deserved win and deserved points take Liverpool up to fifth, the last spot left up for grabs to qualify for the Europa League next season, ahead of Tottenham just on goal difference.
So, there is a lot left to play for , which you would not have thought just a few months back... Thanks to King Kenny!
Liverpool: Reina; Johnson, Carragher, Skrtel, Flanagan (booked 29)(Shelvey 81); Meireles, Maxi (Carroll 69), Lucas, Spearing; Suarez (Cole 87), Kuyt.
Subs not used: Gulacsi, Kyrgiakos, Robinson, Ngog.
Newcastle: Krul; Coloccini, Jose Enrique (Ferguson 93), Williamson (booked 58), Simpson; Nolan, Barton, Gutierrez, Tiote (booked 51); Lovenkrands (Ranger 73), Ameobi (Kuqi 82).
Subs not used: Harper, Taylor, Taylor, Tavernier.
BBC Stats:
Liverpool-Newcastle
Attempts: 9-7
On target: 5-3
Corners: 3-12
Free kicks: 10-15
Possession: 46%-54%
Sky Sports stats:
Liverpool-Newcastle
Attempts: 10-8
On target: 5-1
Offsides: 4-0
Corners: 3-12
Free kicks: 10-16
Possession: 46.1%-53.9%
Passing Success: 77.7%-85%
Tackles/Success: 26/80.8%-7/57.1%
Territorial Advantage: 44.8%-55.2%
Referee: Peter Walton
Man of the match: Luis Suarez
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