NEWCASTLE 1-0 LIVERPOOL

match report
By J Wade
March 6 2005

Liverpool's hopes of Champions League qualification have taken a massive blow after they were beaten 1-0 by Newcastle United at St James Park this afternoon.

The Reds remain eight points behind their Mersey rivals Everton in 4th place after a trademark Laurent Robert free kick gave Newcastle the points in a game that lacked both in quality and in chances.
 
And Rafa Benitez now has a huge task if he is to secure a place in next season's premier European club competition.
 
Benitez was forced to make five changes to his side that lost in last week's cup final after Dudek, Morientes, Hamann, Traore and Kewell all succumbed to injury.
 
He handed a senior debut to Scott Carson and the young stopper had little to do before turning to pick the ball out of the net after 70 minutes. Carson had managed to get a fingertip to Robert's blistering drive, but he couldn't keep it out.
 
Chances were few and far between in this game and Liverpool, with Milan Baros recalled, struggled to make any impression on Shay Given's goal.
 
Their best moments came in the first half when Gerrard and Garcia both went close, but in truth their forward play was far from inspired and far from giving them the goals they came here looking for.
 
Steven Gerrard did missed a guilt edged injury time chance to salvage a point, but that was not before Kluivert had missed a similarly good chance to extend the home side's lead.
 
Newcastle's win gives Graeme Souness his first win over the Reds as a Manager, but it may have much more significance for Liverpool and Rafa Benitez as their hopes for Champions League qualification fade further into the distance.

Teams

Liverpool: Carson, Riise, Pellegrino, Carragher, Hyypia, Finnan, Gerrard (captain), Biscan, Smicer, Baros, Garcia

Subs: Dudek, Le Tallec, Nunez, Warnock, Welsh
 
Newcastle United: Given, Hughes, Boumsong, Bramble, Carr, Robert, Dyer, Faye, Bowyer, Shearer, Ameobi

Subs: Butt, Jenas, Kluivert, Harper, Taylor