Liverpool 3 Newcastle Utd 0:THE EUROPA League seemed of secondary importance to two Liverpool managers this season, but Anfield will not begrudge Kenny Dalglish another invitation as reward for his remarkable restoration. From 12th to fifth place inside four months: Liverpool fans' only irritation is that their unifying figure did not replace Roy Hodgson earlier.

This was the Andy Carroll reunion in Newcastle United fans’ eyes only as his new employers continued their threat to bring sixth-placed Tottenham’s continental adventures to a swift end. Fenway Sports Group sought stability when it installed Dalglish in January. The long-term solution has been found instead.

“It’s the players who deserve all the credit,” said the caretaker manager after Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez sealed Liverpool’s now customary routine home win against Newcastle. “They are the ones who do the work in training and bring it on to the pitch. They are the ones with the belief and desire. All we do is encourage them.”

Carroll began on the bench following a recent knee injury but the former Newcastle striker’s mere presence was sufficient for a sideshow, as the travelling hordes made clear who they felt was the instigator of his transfer.

The chants commenced during the warm-up as Carroll was informed of the betrayal of his city, and other misdemeanours.

“He’s a young boy but he’s got broad shoulders,” Dalglish said later.

Liverpool’s work ethic provided the platform for their 14th victory in the past 16 Premier League meetings with Newcastle at Anfield.

Alan Pardew’s men were afforded no time on the ball, with the tireless Jay Spearing and Lucas Leiva initially stifling the midfield efforts of Kevin Nolan, Cheik Tiote and Joey Barton, although the pressing and harrying commenced up front.

The indefatigable Suarez and Kuyt were the difference compared to the team led by the anonymous Peter Lovenkrands and Shola Ameobi.

“Our attacking play could be improved and we need to work on that,” Pardew added.

“We affected the game but not the score-line. The commitment and spirit were honourable today but we lacked a bit of quality.”

The home side continued where they left off in the 5-0 defeat of Birmingham, flooding the visitors’ penalty area and prospering from the breaks as a result.

Only 10 minutes had elapsed when Lucas picked out Jonathan Flanagan on the right and though Newcastle’s Mike Williamson intercepted his delightful cross, the header fell perfectly for Rodriguez, who followed up the hat-trick of last weekend with a deflected effort beyond Tim Krul.

Newcastle threatened to create a contest once Barton began to find his range from set-pieces and Nolan found space in front of Liverpool’s well-drilled ranks but, despite United ending the first half on top, Jose Reina went untested in the home goal.

The visitors’ best opening fell to Barton seconds after the restart but he sidefooted Nolan’s cross wide from close range and Newcastle never troubled again.

It then became the Suarez show.

The Uruguay international almost scored with a deflected shot off Williamson’s head before leaving the Newcastle centre-half with a bigger regret when winning the penalty that sealed the victory.

Williamson attempted to shepherd a long clearance from Reina out of play when Suarez hustled him off the ball on the touchline and was then pulled to the floor at the edge of the area.

The referee, Peter Walton, pointed to the spot and Kuyt sent Krul the wrong way.

“The second goal was crucial,” said the Newcastle manager.

“Had we scored it then it may have been difficult for Liverpool to break out of their slumber but unfortunately Williamson makes a mistake, albeit outside the box.”

Kuyt should have added a third with a free header from close range but soon turned provider when Suarez’s darting run into the area was blocked by Fabricio Coloccini.

The Dutchman flicked the loose ball back to Liverpool’s number seven and the exposed Krul was beaten again.

If that was not bad enough for Newcastle, there was still time for Carroll to come on with a broad smile and to a raucous ovation from the Kop.

Asked whether losing the big centre-forward had cost Newcastle here, Pardew replied: “The loss of (Hatem) Ben Arfa maybe. He was brought in to be our link man, like Suarez is for Liverpool. That’s more important than the impact Andy Carroll had on the game, which was minimal.”

Only Liverpool have been able to move on since January.

Guardian Service