Newcastle 2-0 Liverpool – Reina off in miserable game

Newcastle 2-0 Liverpool
Premier League, Sunday 1st April 2012, 1:30pm

  • Liverpool dominate opening 20 minutes until Newcastle take lead against the run of play
  • Carroll dive for penalty proves turning point
  • Perch handles on line at 0-0 but not given
  • Cisse heads Newcastle in the lead from a cross
  • Cisse’s second goal comes after the forward was 10 yards offside
  • Reina sent off to compound the misery
  • The opening 20 minutes summed up Liverpool’s season; started brightly, created chances, hit the woodwork, had a decision go against them, then conceded against the run of play. The rest of the first half saw their chronic lack of confidence, following 5 defeats in the last 6.

    Papa Cisse scored both the goals. The second where he was 10 yards offside.

    Pepe Reina’s dismissal came after James Perch tripped him, then the two squared up, Reina made no contact with his head but Perch reacted like he’d been shot.

    Reina will now miss the FA Cup semi-final with Everton. Alexander Doni will make his debut against Aston Villa next week. With all three subs having been used, Jose Enrique was forced to go in goal.

    A miserable afternoon.

    Liverpool are now eighth, 11 points behind Newcastle.

    Liverpool: Reina, Flannagan, Carragher, Skrtel, Enrique, Gerrard, Spearing, Shelvey (Downing 75), Bellamy (Henderson 79), Suarez, Carroll (Kuyt 79).
    Subs not used: Doni, Aurelio, Maxi, Coates.

    Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Williamson, Perch, Gutierrez, Guthrie (Gosling 65), Tiote, Cabaye, Ben Arfa (Santon 90), Cisse (Ameobi 74), Ba.
    Subs not used: Elliot, Ferguson, R. Taylor, Vuckic.

    Referee: Martin Atkinson, aka Inept Wanker
    Attendance: 52,363