Liverpool inspired by peerless Gerrard

Newcastle United specialise in the unlikely, but few anticipated the day when they would be relieved to see a relative of Jean Alain Boumsong on the St James' Park pitch. But the entrance of David Ngog, cousin of the catastrophe-prone defender who was once the black-and-white sheep of the Newcastle family, was accompanied by the departure of Steven Gerrard.

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Steven Gerrard watches as his shot beats Newcastle keeper Shay Given

As Liverpool produced their most fluent showing of the season, and Newcastle the worst of Joe Kinnear's reign, Gerrard added to his pantheon of great performances. Only, perhaps, the abject nature of the opposition separated this from previous virtuoso displays. If the title - like the Champions League in 2005 and the FA Cup a year later - becomes a personal crusade for Gerrard, then Liverpool's 19-season wait may be ending.

Equally capable of overcoming Newcastle with his physical and his footballing qualities, Gerrard's eventual tally included two goals and two assists. He was too good for Newcastle and, for a second successive season at St James' Park, a section of their support granted him a standing ovation.

It was entirely deserved. ''It shows you the knowledge and respect of the supporters of this club,'' said Sammy Lee, deputising for Rafa Benitez in the press conference and suggesting Liverpool have the conviction to triumph in the Premier League. He added: ''We feel this is a very strong, very focused, very determined group of individuals. We've got a belief; it's not an arrogance. We prepare to succeed; we don't prepare to fail.''

This was a roaring success. While the recent memories are of the draws that have pockmarked their campaign at home, Liverpool have produced a series of results - including the victory over Manchester United and the wins at Chelsea and Manchester City - that can be interpreted as statements of intent. League leaders can appear pressurised and burdened, but Liverpool were confident and carefree, playing like potential champions. If anything, the eventual scoreline flattered Newcastle.

There were measures of Liverpool's superiority, and one occurred with 40 minutes remaining. The normally intense Benitez, who was convalescing in the crowd, happily posed for a picture with a mother and daughter. Indeed, as a side lacking both Fernando Torres and Robbie Keane scored five goals away from home, his sole cause for concern could have been that a breakthrough took so long.

However, it was remarkable that Newcastle preserved parity for half an hour. Liverpool were irresistible, sweeping forward with pace and purpose, fashioning chance after chance and only being denied by the brilliance of Given. At that time, indeed, it appeared Christmas was a time for Given. Lucas Leiva was thwarted three times, Gerrard twice and Dirk Kuyt and Sami Hyypia once apiece.

Eventually the deadlock was broken by a rather predictable scorer. Gerrard provided a rasping finish to Yossi Benayoun's ball from the byline. He then turned provider. Newcastle's inability to defend his corners was as consistent as the quality of the delivery. Hyypia headed in the second goal, courtesy of Gerrard and, at the second attempt, Ryan Babel stabbed in the third following another centre from the captain after David Edgar had halved the deficit.

Then Lucas supplied an inviting pass and Gerrard burst beyond Fabricio Coloccini before deftly lifting the ball over Given. The scoring was completed by one substitute, Xabi Alonso, after another, Ngog, earned a penalty.

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Xabi Alonso: Has been linked with move away from Liverpool

''It was one-sided because they are a world-class side,'' said Kinnear. ''They were head and shoulders above us. We had deficiencies in so many areas. It shows how far away we are from competing with Liverpool. We need to get players in to make sure we stay in the division first and foremost.''

A relegation struggle may be the unpleasant reality for Newcastle, but they are becoming acquainted with the actuality. At a time of year for reconciliation or, failing that, uneasy truces, Benitez and Rick Parry sat side by side in the stand while Mike Ashley announced he has taken Newcastle off the market. Nevertheless an execrable performance from the defence appeared a four-man protest at his continued ownership of the club.

The fans chorused the name of their former manager - the watching Sir Bobby Robson - rather than the interim appointee on the touchline, Kinnear. Some first saluted Gerrard and then booed their own players. It is hard to present that as stability or progress.

MAN OF THE MATCH: Steven Gerrard
''The best performance I've seen from a player for a long time. He was magnificent,'' said Kinnear. The superb Given can count himself unfortunate that, even when conceding five goals, he was overshadowed, but that is a measure of Gerrard's excellence.

NEWCASTLE VERDICT: Given's defiance aside, this was a performance entirely without positives. Newcastle had been difficult to defeat under Kinnear, but they were swept aside. Their defending verged on the diabolical while they were overpowered in the centre of midfield. Quite why Nicky Butt, who has almost patented the role of the deep-lying midfielder, was sufficiently advanced to allow Gerrard space to operate, to borrow one of Benitez's favoured phrases, between the lines, is a mystery. With injuries, a rare constant at Newcastle, depleting his squad, Kinnear believes he needs four signings in January.

LIVERPOOL VERDICT: Sometimes deemed a defensive team who struggle to create, they excelled as an attacking force. While Benitez's rotation can be a source of irritation, it was justified by Liverpool's energy. Of the fringe players, Yossi Benayoun proved influential on the right, Babel scored on a rare start and Lucas, despite missing from three yards, produced perhaps his best Liverpool display. There are occasions when the Liverpool supporters are tempted to check his passport to see if Lucas really is Brazilian, but this wasn't one. ''We've never had any doubts about his credentials or his ability,'' insisted Lee. ''He was terrific.''

STAYING PUT: Mike Ashley's announcement that Newcastle is no longer for sale amounted to an admission that no satisfactory bids have been received, though he said in a statement: ''I have withdrawn Newcastle United from the market and for me 2009 will be the year in which we drive the club forward together. I gave you my word that as long as I remain owner, this club would continue to be run responsibly at all levels. I hope you will accept that I have stood by that pledge.''