The long wait for Newcastle United to win at Anfield continues as Liverpool cruise to 2-0 victory

Liverpool continued their dominance over Newcastle United in the Premier League with a 2-0 win, but it wasn't the pasting we were braced for.

When Dominik Szoboszlai put Liverpool into the lead on 11 minutes, it felt like it was going to be one of those nights for Newcastle, and although the Magpies didn't really get into the game, Liverpool never really looked like running away with it.

It took until the 63rd minute for the hosts to double their lead via Alexis Mac Allister, set up by Mo Salah to keep his run of goal involvements going much to the delight of the LFC TV TNT Sport commentators.

In truth, if it wasn't for some schoolboy defending by Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes for the goals, it might have been a different story tonight.

Schoolboy defending let Newcastle down at Anfield

In the case of both goals, it was the central midfielders who backed off their man in the box giving them all the space they needed to pick their spot. Tonali in the first half for Szoboszlai and Bruno for Mac Allister in the second half.

While probably not to blame for the goals, we still have to question Eddie Howe's decision to reinstate Nick Pope. He looks like a shadow of his former self, and it seems as though he's leaning into that whole 'he's crap with his feet' thing a bit too much now.

Pope is by far the only player who looks destined for the scrap heap after that game, and while I don't want to get sucked into the reactionary negativity of pointing at players and saying they're not good enough, there are a few who are walking a tightrope now.

Callum Wilson hasn't played much this season, and it showed he should have buried his first-half chance, and perhaps, were he fitter, he might have. Jacob Murphy is regressing to the Murphy of old, but he didn't have Alexander Isak to aim at tonight, so maybe he gets a pass. Joe Willock ... I genuinely forgot he was on the pitch in the first half until the final few seconds. As much as I love Fabian Schar, his passing is getting worse game by game.

We need our three big absentees back for the cup final

If we don't have all three of Sven Botman, Joelinton and Alexander Isak back fit for the final then I don't see any way we win that game. This felt like Liverpool at half-speed tonight and at times they tore through our defence like it wasn't even there. Were it not for Lewis Hall keeping Mo Salah quiet, we dread to think what might have happened.

At the other end, though, where was the invention from our lads? Once again, shooting seems to be taboo. Why we can't just shoot on sight and hope for a deflection or catching someone napping, I do not know.

We can't be expecting to walk the ball into the net every time, especially not against a side like Liverpool. When playing the big teams, luck plays a huge part but you can't win the lottery if you don't buy a ticket.

As mad as I am that we were beaten again, I am taking a lot of positives from tonight. It wasn't the pasting I was expecting, Newcastle did have moments in the match where we looked like we were trying after initially doing our usual thing of backing off and giving the 'top' side too much respect.

With Alexander Isak on the pitch, we could have made a game of it tonight, and that's something to take away from it. Onwards to Brighton in the FA Cup now.