Debacle at the Toon as Reds stroll to win

The pressures building on Big Sam as the Gallowgate watch all their expectations implode yet again. Newcastle in this game were simply woeful. They lacked fight, organisation and any semblance of an attack. Liverpool strolled round St James Park without really getting out of second gear. That said Liverpool just don't quite convince as title chasers. They just don't have the fluency of either Manchester United or Arsenal and Rafa Benitez has still to find the right blend from the wealth of talent available.

Liverpool were well marshalled at the back with Carragher and Hypia easily dealing with anything Newcastle could produce.
Momo Sissoko had an edgy start but gradually came into form while Lucas, Gerrard and Kewell also caught the eye as Liverpool's midfield completely dominated. Up front Fernando Torres scuffed chance after chance. Its something I've noticed about him - he scores a few but scuffs a lot and in this game he really should have scored three while Dirk Kuyt worked as hard as ever linking the play well.

Liverpool took the lead through a Gerrard thunderbolt then added a second a minute into the second half with Kuyt scoring off the knee from Hypia's flick on. Substitute Ryan Babel added the third combining well with Gerrard to finish off a flowing move.

Newcastle on this form look relegation material. Considering the quality even this depleted side had they showed little heart or belief. They really should take a long hard look at themselves or for that matter Wigan. I watched Arsenal/ Wigan as well and Wigan for eighty odd minutes matched Arsenal through sheer grit, determination and organisation. Emile Heskey showed aggression that may have saved his Anfield career, unfortunately accidentally injuring Theo Walcott in the process.

A bad week for Big Sam just got a whole lot worse while Liverpool will be feeling a lot better after a traumatic week behind the scenes

Premiership Round-up

Chelsea are set to be with John Terry again but Didier Drogba is set to miss out with a knee injury. Cech, Ferreria and Carvalho are all still out. Shouldnt make too much difference against Derby!!!

Arsenal are waiting on the fitness of Alex Hleb after he took a knock while playing for Belarus.

Villa are hopingGabriel Agbonlahor will be fit to face Middlesbrough though he faces a late fitness test.

Robbie Savage has told the world he is fully fit and ready to return for Fulham this weekend. He got a knee injury against Tottenham three weeks ago and it was thought he was going to be out for six weeks.

Manchester City striker Rolando Bianchi is out after he suffered an ankle injury in training on Thursday while Sunderland midfielder Dwight Yorke is likely to return after a calf injury. Also Dean Whitehead and Andy Cole are pushing for starts after long spells out.

Newcastle vs Liverpool - Testing Times for Sam & Rafa

Its a big big game on Tyneside for these two managers.

Sam Allardyce is under a bit of pressure at Newcastle with underwhelming results and football , criticism from the chairman, rumours of disquiet amongst the players and a yet to be convinced Gallowgate. I really think that this job is a make or break one for Big Sam. Crack this and he's a freeman of the city of Newcastle and even bigger clubs may come calling. Go the way of all the others and he's back to managing the Bolton's of this world.

Rafa Benitez meanwhile has had a very public spat with Liverpool's new owners. The Liverpool Echo (widely held on Merseyside as being the voice of the club) has an interesting angle. They are saying that Rafa has "asked to be given the freedom to operate in the transfer market without restrictions, to be allowed to sell players no longer deemed of any great value to fund the acquisition of players whom he feels can make a real difference." They also say the Americans are wanting harmony restored however I think this has a long way to play out and I wouldn't bet against it all ending in tears for those Reds fans amongst us.

As for the teams Newcastle have Michael Owen, Abdoulaye Faye, Stephen Carr, Claudio Cacapa, Celestine Babayaro and Damien Duff all out but Shay Given is fit and Nicky Butt is back from suspension. Liverpool meanwhile have Harry Kewell pushing for a start with Daniel Agger a maybe to come back. Fernando Torres is also back to start for the first time in four weeks.

My gut feel - Liverpool to win and pile on more misery for Big Sam!!!!