Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers was delighted with the manner of their thumping win at Newcastle United.

At Anfield, fears about what might happen if Luis Suarez leaves in the aftermath of a 10-match ban received for biting Branislav Ivanovic were partly allayed last weekend when the team thumped Newcastle 6-0 without him.

Rodgers said: "The fluency in our game was there to be seen. Obviously when Luis plays, we maybe play differently. He's a wonderful talent, but he's not here and we have other talents.

"It's great to see Fabio Borini back after so long out. These last couple of weeks he's looked like the player we thought we were getting in. He's now clear of the shoulder and foot injuries he had.

"Daniel Sturridge is dynamic and going to be a really top player, but he's going to need games to get that and do it consistently."