Liverpool have piled yet more misery on Newcastle United after cruising to a 2-0 win in this evening's Premier League clash at Anfield.
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The visitors started on the front foot as they pressed forward on a number of occasions, with the Reds giving the ball away and being caught on the break several times in the opening stages.
Despite Liverpool's shaky start, they opened the scoring in the eighth minute as Jordan Henderson's pass found Sterling, who stormed into the box, cut inside and curled the ball into the net.
Newcastle were deflated following their early setback and soon found themselves under the cosh as the hosts grew in confidence and dominated possession.
John Carver's charges mustered a half-chance in the 21st minute when Ayoze Perez's cross from the left missed the head of Gabriel Obertan, but the Reds regained the ball and broke forward once again.
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Philippe Coutinho in particular proved a thorn in Newcastle's side as his pace and skill sliced through their defence time and time again.
For all of Liverpool's efforts, they risked big when Perez charged into the box before being brought down by Dejan Lovren, but the referee waved away Newcastle's appeals.
The pendulum then swung the way of the visitors as Perez forced a smart save from Simon Mignolet and Mehdi Abeid skied an effort wide on the stroke of half time, but the Reds held firm to lead at the break.
Newcastle began the second half brightly as Obertan headed wide, also giving the home bench a scare after landing on Emre Can in the process, prompting a lengthy treatment.
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Sterling was guilty of a bad miss just before the hour when Henderson broke down the right and cut the ball back to the young forward, who shanked his shot wide despite being just yards out.
Liverpool were soon in control again, making the most of sloppy Magpies defending to double their lead in the 70th minute, courtesy of Joe Allen's simple tap-in.
Any hopes of Newcastle getting back into the game were snuffed out in the latter stages of the game when Moussa Sissoko received two yellow cards in the space of five minutes, the second for a tackle on Lucas.
The result moves Liverpool up to fifth place in the Premier League table, while the Magpies continue to languish in 13th.
Giuseppe Labellarte
