An own goal from Martin Skrtel as well as a late goal from Georginio Wijnaldum gave Newcastle a much-needed, and deserved 2-0 home victory over Jürgen Klopp's men.
Bright start from Liverpool but no reward
Liverpool started the game brightly, with a succesion of early corners. However Lucas Leiva's misplaced pass allowed Newcastle to start their own attack.
An opening for Newcastle?
After 15 minutes Newcastle started to press Liverpool well, Daryl Janmaat had an opportunity to cross the ball in but the Reds defended confidently. Most of the first-half was an end-to-end affair with both teams attacking with pace - however, neither side managed any shots on target.
Newcastle's best chance of the half came five minutes before the break after Papiss Cisse was one-on-one with Martin Skrtel. The striker overran the ball and much to the disappointment of the Newcastle supporters, wasted the chance. The teams went into half-time still goalless, but there was plenty of encouraging signs from the hosts.
Hosts take the lead
Newcastle started the second-half well, they looked confident on the ball and eventually got their reward courtesy of an own goal. Martin Skrtel's own goal gave the hosts a much-deserved lead with just over twenty minutes to play, after Wijnaldum's effort flicked off the Slovakian, wrongfooting Simon Mignolet into the bottom corner of the net.
Liverpool were stunned and immediately made another change, Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana were already subbed on before the goal and Divock Origi followed just afterwards. Sturridge missed a huge chance for the Reds with 15 minutes left after he dragged a low shot well wide, albeit on his weaker right foot.
An incorrect decision?
Fullback Alberto Moreno had the ball in the net with ten minutes to go after a lovely dink over Rob Elliot from the left-hand side, however the replays showed he was clearly onside despite the linesman's decision.
Newcastle extend their lead
Five minutes of stoppage time was added on at the end of the second half and unsurprisingly received boos from the Newcastle support. However those boos quickly turned to cheers after Moussa Sissoko had broken away and fed the ball to Wijnaldum, who superbly finished into the right-hand corner.
Steve McClaren's men moved up to 18th in the table following their wonderful performance, overtaking local rivals Sunderland - meaning Liverpool missed the chance to move just three points behind the top four.