Newcastle vs. Liverpool: Score, Grades and Reaction from Premier League Game

Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool

Ayoze Perez stepped off the bench to claim three Premier League points for Newcastle for the second successive week.

The 21-year-old scored the winning goal at Tottenham Hotspur last weekend, and continued the renaissance for the Magpies and manager Alan Pardew with his 73rd-minute goal against the Merseysiders.

However, it had been a largely disappointing encounter between the two clubs, although Newcastle's third successive win meant the home supporters left the stadium happy.

But it was another worrying display by the Reds, who have now lost four times already this season after coming so close to the title last term.

Papiss Cisse returned to the Newcastle line-up after a knee injury, and Mehdi Abeid got his first Premier League start. Sammy Ameobi was also named in the starting XI.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers drafted in Glen Johnson, Jordan Henderson and Philippe Coutinho for Javi Manquillo, Emre Can and Adam Lallana, who earlier had featured in one of the more bizarre stories of the day.

There was an early chance for Cisse after Gabriel Obertan's lay-off inside the area, but Martin Skrtel blocked the strike.

In the ninth minute, Newcastle appealed for a penalty when Moussa Sissoko fell under a challenge from Joe Allen, but play was waved on by referee Andre Marriner. Intriguingly, though, it was Obertan once more who set up the chance.

However, the threat Obertan was providing was taken out of the equation midway through the first period as the winger was forced out of the game after pulling up with a thigh injury.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew brought on Rolando Aarons as a replacement for the former Manchester United man, who was applauded off the field by the home fans.

But the game was lacking in threats on goal at the half-hour mark, with neither goalkeeper tested seriously in a game renowned for providing big scorelines.

Great running by Aarons set up a free-kick for Newcastle after he was felled by Gerrard, but the set-piece was squandered.

In the 36th minute, Liverpool goalkeeper Simon Mignolet wandered off his line at a corner, and only a diving header off the line by Johnson prevented Cisse from opening the scoring.

At the other end, Skrtel raced into the area to meet a Gerrard corner, but the defender headed wide of Tim Krul's left-hand post.

Skrtel was cautioned for a foul on Sissoko in the 44th minute before Steven Taylor was booked for standing in front of Mignolet at the subsequent free-kick. Cisse's eventual set-piece from the edge of the area was wasteful and flew over the crossbar.

Despite those flickers of interest, it had still been a disappointing first 45 minutes on Tyneside.

Pardew brought on Ayoze Perez for Cisse ahead of the second period, and Sissoko was cautioned for a 48th-minute challenge on Allen.

Balotelli made Krul work in the 55th minute with a strong drive, which the Newcastle goalkeeper held well.

The Netherlands international produced a great save moments later when Coutinho glanced a header goalwards from a Gerrard ball into the area.

In the 62nd minute, Daryl Janmaat was yellow-carded for a robust challenge on Balotelli, who had shown tremendous desire to retrieve the ball for Liverpool before the foul.

Midway through the second half, Rodgers swapped Fabio Borini for Allen, while Remy Cabella came on for Ameobi for the home side.

A long pass by Gerrard was chested down by Raheem Sterling into the path of Borini, who fired wide of goal in the 70th minute.

In the 73rd minute, though, Newcastle took the lead. After a one-two with Paul Dummett, Sissoko attempted to cross but Alberto Moreno cut out the pass. Instead of clearing the ball, however, it dropped for Perez to slam home for the Magpies.

Cabella broke clear moments later and looked set to add a second goal, but Mignolet produced a fine stop with his feet.

Rodgers sent on Rickie Lambert for Coutinho with 10 minutes remaining as Liverpool chased an equaliser.

Mignolet was required to make another stop as Sissoko attempted to cut the ball across the area.

Newcastle continued to press for a second, but Perez's single strike was enough to see off a lacklustre Liverpool and send the Magpies into the top half of the table.

Selected Player Ratings

Steven Gerrard: A-

Liverpool captain was lacking a spark to his game in the first half. He might not be the inspirational figure he once was, but he had clearly had enough of the lacklustre approach as he attempted to take the game to Newcastle after the interval.

Mario Balotelli: B

Isolated in the first period as Liverpool failed to find any rhythm to their game. Showed some determination and fight for the Reds in the second 45 minutes.

Moussa Sissoko: A+

Tremendous display from the Newcastle midfielder, who played a crucial role in the opening goal to reward his persistent probing throughout the match.

What's Ahead

Newcastle are next in action on Sunday 9 November, when they travel to West Bromwich Albion in the Premier League.

Liverpool will now turn their attention to the glamour Champions League trip to the Bernabeu on Tuesday, where they will line up against Real Madrid.

Post-Match Reaction