Liverpool beat Newcastle United 3-0 at Anfield on Sunday to maintain their pursuit of Manchester United at the top of the English Premier League table and send Newcastle deeper into relegation trouble at the bottom. A goal off Yossi Benayouns knee and a diving header from Dirk Kuyt put Liverpool in control in the first half and substitute Lucas headed in the third three minutes from time.
Second-placed Liverpool moved to 77 points with three matches to play. Leaders United have 80 points and four matches left.
Newcastle,who had Joey Barton sent off in the second half for a wild challenge on Xabi Alonso,remain in the relegation zone with 31 points from 35 matches.
We have to wait for United to make a mistake and just have to keep going and we will, Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez told Setanta Sports News. We have the right mentality and we will keep fighting.
Asked if Barton had deserved the straight red card,Newcastles interim manager Alan Shearer said: Yes. He is now suspended for the rest of the season. We placed our trust in him and yes we feel let down.