Whatever Raheem Sterling is smoking, and it is quite a lot judging by recent
pictures of the Liverpool winger in action, it was too much for Newcastle United
to stomach as their malaise deepened at Anfield. Brendan Rodgers’ team kept
their outside hope of Champions League qualification alive with an ultimately
comfortable victory. Liverpool moved to within four points of fourth-placed
Manchester City with goals from Sterling and Joe Allen but for John Carver there
was only a fifth consecutive league defeat and mounting problems. Moussa Sissoko
was sent off late on for an over-the-top tackle on Lucas Leiva that prompted his
second booking of the night when it could have been a straight red.
Rodgers’ programme notes were filed before Manchester City’s comprehensive
defeat at Old Trafford, a result that may have altered his conviction that
“there is a significant gap between us and fourth place, there are a small
number of games remaining to bridge that gap, and the teams above us are not
dropping points.” His insistence Liverpool “cannot afford any more slip-ups” in
the pursuit of fourth place holds true regardless of the champions’ regression,
however, and Rodgers’ team were quick to establish a foothold over a brittle
Newcastle.
Liverpool were without Daniel Sturridge due to what the club described as
muscle fatigue after the England international exited the FA Cup quarter-final
win at Blackburn Rovers last week with a slight hamstring problem. In his
absence, Philippe Coutinho was the somewhat surprising choice to lead the attack
with Raheem Sterling and Jordon Ibe, back from a six week lay-off caused by
ankle ligament damage, completing a three-pronged attack.
Any doubts over the home side’s potency in the absence of a recognised
striker were dispelled with their first attack. Carver had pledged a reaction
from Newcastle following their lame defeat in the Tyne-Wear derby last weekend
and initially the “hurt” visitors delivered. Moussa Sissoko, captain in place of
the suspended Fabricio Coloccini, led by powerful example from the opening
whistle yet it underlined the weakness of this Newcastle team that they conceded
when under pressure for the first time.
The breakthrough was a moment to savour for the scrutinised Sterling. Jordan
Henderson instigated the ninth-minute goal with a crossfield pass that his
England international colleague trapped with an exquisite first touch on the
left of the visitors’ penalty area.
Sterling stepped inside one weak challenge from Ryan Taylor, a second from
Gabriel Obertan and swept a fine right-footed finish beyond Tim Krul into the
top corner. It was the 20-year-old’s first goal since inviting criticism with
his admission to the BBC that he had rejected a £100,000-a-week contract offer
from Liverpool.
Any concerns Sterling might have had over the Kop’s reaction were misplaced
although the home supporters were quick to express an unflattering opinion of
the player’s agent, Aidy Ward.
The release for Sterling may be short-lived. Having been pictured in the
Sunday Mirror this weekend allegedly smoking a shisha pipe, it emerged during
the game that Sterling has also been filmed allegedly inhaling nitrous oxide –
or laughing gas – at a party.
A Liverpool spokesperson commented: “We are aware of the story and intend to
speak to the player. Any subsequent action will be taken internally.” Rodgers
was also due to comment on the latest controversy surrounding the 20-year-old
after the game.
Liverpool, wearing black armbands before the 26th anniversary of the
Hillsborough disaster on Wednesday, appeared on course for a comfortable victory
in the immediate aftermath of Sterling’s strike as Newcastle’s resistance
evaporated.
The home side pinged passes over the Newcastle rearguard at will and under no
pressure for much of the first half. Krul saved an angled drive from Alberto
Moreno after Dejan Lovren’s long ball sent the Spaniard clear down the left,
Coutinho overhit a cross intended for the unmarked Sterling in front of goal
having evaded two challenges down the right and Krul saved superbly from Lucas
Leiva’s free header, albeit the Brazilian was given offside.
But Liverpool’s dominance proved deceptive. Having spent most of the first
half justifying recent accusations of a lack of quality and fight, the visitors
ended it in the ascendancy and rightly enraged by the referee, Lee Mason’s,
refusal to award a penalty when Lovren impeded Ayozé Pérez inside the Liverpool
area.
The degree of contact between the Croatian and the young striker was
debatable but Lovren was late and nowhere near the ball as Pérez tumbled over
his outstretched leg. Carver’s complaints continued down the tunnel at
half-time.
Pérez almost levelled with a flying header from Daryl Janmaat’s cross, only
for Simon Mignolet to produce a fine save, and Mehdi Abeid sliced over from
Sissoko’s inviting ball as Liverpool’s performance became increasingly
disjointed. Lovren and Glen Johnson spread palpitations throughout Anfield with
cumbersome second-half displays but Newcastle could not capitalise.
Liverpool, even while struggling to reassert their earlier control, carried
the more potent threat.
Sterling should have scored his second when Taylor completely missed
Henderson’s cross from the right and allowed the ball to reach the winger
standing six yards in front of goal. Somehow, Sterling side-footed his effort
horribly wide. His blushes were spared by Joe Allen of all people with 20
minutes remaining. Newcastle dealt comfortably with a Henderson corner from the
right but not with the return ball back into their box by Emre Can.
Can’s cross bounced off Mike Williamson and before the Newcastle central
defender could react, Allen despatched a snap-shot past Krul from close
range.
The Wales international became the 18th different player to score for
Liverpool this season with his first of the campaign, equalling a club
record.
