The Spanish forward, introduced from the bench at half-time, capitalised on a defensive mistake from Alberto Moreno to smash the ball home and keep up the Magpies’ impressive form

Ayoze Perez’s 73rd-minute strike was enough for in-form Newcastle to pick up their fourth consecutive victory against Brendan Rodgers’ inconsistent Liverpool.

Perez blasted in the opener from close range after Reds left-back Alberto Moreno dithered on the ball in the area.

Remy Cabella came close to making it 2-0 three minutes later but goalkeeper Simon Mignolet managed to poke it wide with his toe after diving in the opposite direction.

It had been a largely drab affair until the goal, with Moussa Sissoko perhaps lucky to escape a red card after a studs-up foul on Joe Allen after 55 minutes.

Rodgers’ men struggled for the majorirt of the match but Coutinho saw a header well saved by Tim Krul approaching the hour mark.

But it was Perez who got the decisive goal to consign the Reds to their fourth Premier League defeat already this season, having lost six in total during 2013-14.

More to follow…