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…

The former Southampton captain is enjoying life at Anfield despite the Reds struggling for form, though recent dramatic wins have lifted spirits on Merseyside

Liverpool midfielder Adam Lallana believes Brendan Rodgers’ side’s ability to score late goals highlights the character of the side.

In their past four games in all competitions, Liverpool have struck in stoppage time on two occasions to clinch victory and Lallana believes that it not only shows the Merseyside team have “immense character” but should inspire them over the next month.

“We’ve been scoring late goals and that shows we keep going until the last minute,” the 26-year-old told the club’s official website.

“We’ve got a fit group of lads and we may not be performing as well as we know we can, but that grit, determination and character is what you need.

“It’s given us a lift. Hopefully it triggers a good performance at the weekend. There are tough games coming around ever so quickly now.”

After this weekend’s clash with Newcastle, Liverpool travel to Real Madrid in the Champions League for a game on Tuesday, before facing Premier League leaders Chelsea, Crystal Palace, Ludogorets in Bulgaria and Stoke City to complete their duties in November.

While Lallana’s first campaign at Anfield has not quite gone to plan so far – Liverpool sit seventh in the Premier League, seven points behind Chelsea – he has been enjoying the extra pressure since arriving from Southampton.

“Expectations are a big one and playing for a club that is watched by millions of supporters around the world,” Lallana said.

“It’s just a big club but I’m just enjoying every moment of it. The Champions League games, and the even the Capital One Cup games, Anfield is jam-packed – even in midweek against Swansea.”

The under-pressure manager believes his side can take the game to the Reds after resting several players for their shock victory over Manchester City in the League Cup

Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has vowed to send his resurgent side out to attack Liverpool in Saturday’s Premier League clash at St James’ Park.

The Tyneside club have put a dismal start to the season behind them by winning their last three matches in all competitions to ease the pressure on a manager who faced fan protests earlier in the campaign.

Newcastle’s latest success came at the expense of Premier League champions Manchester City, who were consigned to a shock 2-0 League Cup defeat at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

Few gave Pardew’s side any hope of progressing to the last eight when he named a much-changed side that included the likes of Rolando Aarons, Adam Armstrong and Ryan Taylor, who was making his first start since August 2012.

Out-of-sorts City were stunned, though, by goals from Aarons and Moussa Sissoko and Pardew is now plotting a fourth win in a row this weekend.

“We have protected ourselves a little bit for Liverpool [by making changes against City]. We can now attack that,” he said. “We have real confidence and belief and that’s very important in football.

“I’ve had some good games against Liverpool since I’ve been manager here and we’ve more than held our own. I’m pretty confident I know what Liverpool will do, I’m pretty confident I know what Brendan’s side is.

“I think I know him well enough to know how he’ll come and play but I think for us, I think we can surprise them because one thing’s for sure, Brendan won’t know my team.

“I’m pretty confident of what it’s going to be and I think it’ll be an entertaining game.

“I think he’ll have [Raheem] Sterling on the pitch, he’ll have [Adam] Lallana on the pitch, he’ll have [Mario] Balotelli, [Jordan] Henderson, [Steven] Gerrard, [Philippe] Coutinho all on the pitch.

“So I think Brendan is pretty happy with that.”

Pardew will be without midfielder Cheick Tiote (calf), while striker Papiss Cisse (knee) is rated as “touch and go”.

Rodgers believes Newcastle are starting to reap the rewards of keeping faith with Pardew and the Liverpool boss knows his side will be facing a team brimming with confidence on Saturday.

“It is great credit to the people at Newcastle,” he said. “I know Alan is a top-class manager. We know there are boards who change manager but Alan is very experienced, outstanding manager and he has got results.

“Where they are at now, on the back of three wins, they have a bit of momentum.”

Rodgers will be hoping Balotelli ends his Premier League goal drought after coming off the bench to inspire a dramatic League Cup fightback against Swansea on Tuesday.

The Italian striker scored his second goal for the club four minutes from time and Dejan Lovren headed the winner deep in stoppage time to secure a 2-1 win.

Liverpool will be without Daniel Sturridge (calf), Jose Enrique (knee), Mamadou Sakho (thigh), Jon Flanagan (knee) and Suso (groin).