It could have been worse for Newcastle when Xabi Alonso saw a curling 30-yarder bounce down off the bar with Harper beaten after 39 minutes.

Harper saved at full-stretch to his left as Agger crashed in a 24-yarder, Newcastle having allowed him to advance unchecked from his own half.

Newcastle sent on Jonas Gutierrez for Lovenkrands at the break, but this was a tall order now for a side who had managed one win in their previous 17 games.

Gerrard, Agger and Riera went close as Liverpool moved the ball around with efficiency and pace.

Newcastle’s remarkable fans had been singing themselves hoarse, but their team were getting nowhere.

Smith was booked for a foul on Arbeloa and Ryan Babel replaced Riera, Liverpool seemingly moving towards three more points.

Alonso struck the bar again, this time from the edge of the box, and Babel created a good chance for Gerrard.

It got worse for Newcastle after 77 minutes when Barton received a straight red-card for a two-footed lunge at Alonso right in front of the Kop.

Alonso was eventually carried away on a stretcher, with Lucas taking over.

Owen and Kevin Nolan came on after 80 minutes for Mark Viduka and Martins. Coloccini was booked for a foul on Gerrard with eight minutes left.

There was time for Lucas to head the third from Aurelio’s free-kick after 88 minutes.

David Ngog then replaced a limping Javier Mascherano and Gerrard hit the bar in the finals seconds.