For the second match running Newcastle were put to sword and saved from humiliation by good luck and Shay Given. The Irish goalkeeper said this week he feels he is a Geordie, and that is probably the only thing keeping him at St James' Park, because even he must have wondered what the hell he was doing at this club as we enter the post-Souness period.
United were never at the races. Barring Shay, every other Newcastle player should hang their head in shame because this was simply not acceptable! Just like at Old Trafford last week, we were out-fought, and no matter how much skill the other side has, you can at least put up a fight. But the side wilted and withered in the St James' Park mud long before the Scouse beanpole ghosted in on the far post to put Liverpool ahead
Let's take a look at the guilty men. They didn't make the effort ... but we will:-
In Ramage and Babayaro we must have the worst full-back pairing in the Premiership. OK, Ramage is only in the side because of injuries to Carr and Taylor, but the kid gets the ball and he only has one thought - get rid of it - preferably back to Shay Given. Others clubs know this, and they are on him like a rash. As for Babayaro, the shooner someone explains to him that the first job of a full-back is to stop the crosses into the box, the sooner we will get something out of him. Because we get NOTHING out of him. He is heartless, hides when then the going gets tough, and I'd rather stick a donkey in at left-back than a player who doesn't give a shit about this club.
Elliott was always going to be in for a tough time. He tries, which is more than can be said of Barabayo, but the lad is too small to be a central defender, too slow to play at left-back, and hasn't the imagination to play in midfield. As for his partner - Jean-Alain Boumsong - he took five minutes to get to the dug-out when he was sent off, which shows exactly how quick his mind works!
Solano and Bowyer at least tried to rattle a cage or too, but you couldn't help but feel the ex-Leeds midfielder was out to make it a hat-trick of red cards against Liverpool. He kicked away like a kid in a play-pen, but did neither himself nor team any good.
In the centre we had Parker and Emre. Forget the calls for Parker to join the England World Cup squad, on this showing Sven is sure to leave a call on Parker's mobile ... "don't call me, I'll call you". They say Emre can't get used to the physical side of the Premiership, and boy have we had an expensive crop of those! Marcelino, Maric, Andersson, Guivarc'h, Gavilan, Bassedas, Cordone, Viana, Luque, etc. Yes, pay millions for these Latin superstars, stick them out in the North Sea breeze at St James' Park, and watch their nuts disappear up their arse.
Up front we had our Geordie legend hanging out of Hyypia's pocket. A one-dimensional Alan Shearer, having lost his pace and ability to draw defenders out wide, hoping and praying someone will put the ball on his toe-end. Yet he may as well have been in Shearer's Bar having a pint.
Beside him was Shola, who to his credit at least tried to give the Scouse defence a nervous moment or two. Not much, granted, but the odd token gesture and certainly more than Shearer.