Liverpool's alarming run of form continued with a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle for a sixth league loss in seven games and to cap a miserable afternoon had keeper Jose Reina dismissed late-on. Liverpool have only won two Premier League games in 2012 and not only are Everton ahead of them but the Reds are only 14 points off a relegation position.
For Newcastle though they have shrugged off some indifferent recent form to move within two points of Tottenham and a Champions League place and claim a third league success on the bounce.
Papiss Cisse continued his rich vein of goalscoring form by heading home Hatem Ben Arfa's cross.
The Reds looked a team short on confidence with the returning Andy Carroll again failing to impress.
Ben Arfa it was who provided the second goal just before the hour mark for Cisse who has now scored seven league goals since his Toon debut in early February.
The home side never looked in danger of throwing away their two goal advantage and nine minutes before the end Reina appeared to headbutt James Perch and was shown a straight red.
Jose Enrique went into goal as Liverpool had used all their subs up.
Referee: Martin Atkinson
Venue: St James' Park
Attendance: 52,363
Newcastle scorers: Cisse 19, 59 Liverpool scorers:
TRIBAL ASKS: Yellow cards: Flanagan (LIV), Carroll (LIV), Shelvey (LIV), Cisse (NEW), Tiote (NEW), Perch (NEW) Red card: Reina (LIV)
