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Liverpool cemented their place at the Premier League summit with a ruthless demolition of Newcastle United.

Newcastle keeper Shay Given denied Liverpool before Steven Gerrard stroked home from 12 yards after 31 minutes.

Sami Hyypia headed a second five minutes later, but David Edgar pulled one back on the stroke of half-time.

First Half Highlights

Second Half Highlights

Ryan Babel scrambled home Liverpool’s third five minutes after the break. Gerrard raced clear for a fourth and Xabi Alonso made it five from the spot.

Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez surprisingly left Robbie Keane, a two-goal hero in the Boxing Day win against Bolton, on the bench – and how the Republic of Ireland striker must have wished he had been on the pitch in an encounter that was embarrassingly one-sided from start to finish.

Benitez was in the directors’ box recovering from surgery for kidney stones as Liverpool exposed Newcastle’s every flaw throughout 90 minutes of torture for the home fans – providing further confirmation that the Merseysiders’ are in this title race for the long haul.

Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley took the “For Sale” signs down from the club prior to kick-off – and their players then produced the sort of performance that would have sent potential purchasers heading for the hills.