First of all, the team news…

Demba Ba is fit for Newcastle and forms a front three with Hatem Ben Arfa and Papiss Cissé. Steven Taylor plays ahead of Mike Williamson in defence, while James Perch steps into midfield for the suspended Cheick Tiote.

The home side are unchanged from the side that drew with Everton last week. Pepe Reina has a hamstring injury and Glen Johnson is still missing with a back problem, so Brad Jones and former Newcastle full-back Jose Enrique keep their places.

Liverpool: Jones, Wisdom, Skrtel, Agger, Jose Enrique, Gerrard, Allen, Sahin, Fernandez Saez, Suarez, Sterling
Subs: Gulacsi, Assaidi, Henderson, Coates, Downing, Carragher, Shelvey

Newcastle: Krul, Anita, Steven Taylor, Coloccini, Santon, Perch, Cabaye, Gutierrez, Ben Arfa, Cisse, Ba
Subs: Harper, Simpson, Williamson, Shola Ameobi, Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Ferguson

Referee: Anthony Taylor (Cheshire)

And we’re off, as ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ still blares over the loudspeakers…

Liverpool have a real swagger about them. Suarez plays the ball out to Suso, who cuts in from the right before shooting across Tim Krul’s goal.

Santon finds Ba, but the Senegalese striker’s shot sails over the Liverpool bar.

Martin Tyler talks about ‘certain senior Liverpool players’ given a start against Swansea in the midweek Rumbelows clash, who didn’t exactly cover themselves in glory. Somewhere, Joe Cole hangs his head.

Joe Allen gives the ball away (not something that happens too often) and Coloccini seizes upon it, moves forward, but comes to a dead end. Newcastle are coming into things now.

An untidy tackle from Perch, who goes in on Suarez. Dangerous free-kick for Liverpool…

Suarez, Suso and Sahin gather over the ball… Suarez takes it and it’s barely wide of Krul’s post. Good effort.

A mazy run from Suarez, but he drags himself just too wide and Krul saves easily. The Uruguayan is one booking away from a suspension, incidentally.

In the next attack, the number 7 produces a lovely touch to almost play in Joe Allen, but Newcastle clear it.

Substitution for Newcastle…

James Perch injured his left hip so Danny Simpson comes on in his place after 26 minutes. Simpson will go into the defence, with Anita moving forward into midfield.

Joe Allen lofts a great ball forward and Suarez manages to out-jump Steven Taylor, but Krul saves easily.

Liverpool have five attempts to Newcastle’s three as the half hour approaches.

Steven Taylor threatens from a Cabaye free-kick but he’s flagged off-side.

The Newcastle centre-half is looking a little bit ‘ample.’ Just saying.

Raheem Sterling finds Enrique in loads of space with a brilliant pass. Needless to say, the ball is now with Newcastle.

There’s some fairly decent football being played but neither side is showing much composure in front of goal. Suarez is Liverpool’s only real threat and it’s a curiosity that Brendan Rodgers is sticking with the ineffective Suso when Oussama Assaidi – so impressive in the cups – can’t get a game.

Just after I write that, Suso gets involved twice. First, he wins a corner with some fine play in the corner of the box, before he skies the rebound from Gerrard’s dead ball.

1-0 to Newcastle!

Ben Arfa slaloms down the right and produces an excellent cross. Yohan Cabaye controls the ball superbly before the curling the ball past Jones.

Cabaye then tries his luck from distance, but no joy this time.

And that’s half-time. Liverpool have only won once in the last 28 games where they’ve been 1-0 down at the break, so you would not fancy their chances.

Their longer the half went on, the worse the home side got and Newcastle were able to take advantage of some poor passing and positioning.

A blustery start to the second half but Liverpool look more and more desperate, trying to lash long balls into the Newcastle area in the hope that something will drop into Suarez’ path.

The Magpies have seen Demba Ba go off to be replaced by Sammy Ameobi, and they seem happy enough to sit back and absorb the pressure.

Another effort on the turn from Suarez is beaten away by Krul.

Newcastle have their first corner on 64 minutes. Sahin heads away but the visitors come spilling back, earning their second corner of the game on 65 minutes.

Jonjo Shelvey replaces Suso for Liverpool – Gerrard may move to the right alongside Suarez.

Goal for Liverpool!

Suarez controls a long ball from Enrique brilliantly on his chest, taking Coloccini out of the game before rounding Krul to score. No more than the Uruguayan deserved.

In the next wave, Suarez rounds Coloccini before playing the ball across for Shelvey. Shelvey, off balance, completely scuffs his effort with the goal gaping. Shocking miss.

Sahin fouls Ameobi and Newcastle have a free-kick from around 30 yards. Ben Arfa is eyeing it up – it goes wide.

The game has opened up brilliantly here…

Nuri Sahin leaves the pitch, with Stewart Downing coming on for Liverpool. Downing will go to the left and Sterling to the right.

Sterling almost puts his side ahead but his goalward bound shot is blocked by Taylor. Great defending.

Note to self: Get eyesight checked. Jonjo Shelvey with a snood is actually Jose Enrique with a beard.

Enrique crosses and Suarez JUST misses the ball. Close. Liverpool are really turning the screw here. There are roughly ten minutes left.

Shot from Sammy Ameobi but Jones gets down to save. Luckily for the Australian, Cissé is not on hand to pick up the pieces.

Then…

Red card for Coloccini!

The centre-half had to go for raising his boot in a tackle on Suarez. No question.

Sterling is down in the box after stretching to meet a cross. Doesn’t look like a bad one.

Gerrard is trying to drive Liverpool on and wins a free-kick near the corner flag. The ball arrives at the feet of Shelvey but Krul saves easily.

It’s just a rearguard action for Newcastle. What they have, they are determined to hold.

Downing sends a fine cross over by Shelvey’s header is poor, poor, poor. We will have four minutes of added time.

Suarez tries to free Sterling but Santon pulls his shirt. Booking for the Newcastle left-back. Last chance for Liverpool…

First, the free-kick bounces on to the bar and then the resulting corner comes to nothing.

That’s full-time and Liverpool will be disappointed to only get a draw. Cabaye put Newcastle ahead but the Reds came back after a moment of magic from Luis Suarez.

Fabricio Coloccini was sent off for a late challenge on the Uruguayan, but Liverpool could not quite capitalise.

Thanks for keeping up…