Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier virtually threw in the towel in the title race last night after Laurent Robert's deflected free kick left the Anfield club without a league win in ten matches.
The 1-0 defeat at St James' Park left Liverpool a daunting 12 points behind leaders Arsenal, who beat Chelsea 3-2 earlier in the day to start the New Year in style.
Houllier admitted his side's chances of their first title since 1990 looked bleak after a terrible start to 2003.
"I think it will be difficult to catch up with Arsenal, 12 points is a lot. You never know in football and I don't like to commit suicide before the end of the season but I acknowledge it will be difficult," he said.
Robert's decisive strike was a tonic for the Frenchman who was disciplined by the club for attacking a journalist who had criticised him in a local newspaper.