Liverpool are up to fifth after goals from Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez completed a 3-0 victory over Newcastle.


The Reds have leapfrogged Tottenham on goal difference to occupy a Europa League place - though Spurs have a game in hand.

Kenny Dalglish's side have now scored 11 and conceded none in their last three home games - and the momentum is theirs as the race for Europe draws to a conclusion.

Liverpool were buoyed by the return of full-back Glen Johnson after a month on the sidelines with a hamstring injury. Andy Carroll, however, was deemed fit enough only for a place on the bench against a club where he scored 33 goals in 91 games.

That meant Maxi retained his place on the back of a hat-trick against Birmingham City last week.

And it wasn't long before the Argentine reacquainted himself with Anfield's netting. There were just 10 minutes on the clock when a lovely sequence of Liverpool passing ended with Maxi half-volleying past Tim Krul via the leg of Danny Simpson.

A period of relative calm followed before Jay Spearing eyed a shooting opportunity from 25 yards. Krul could only parry his whack but recovered before either Kuyt or Raul Meireles could conclude their attempted ambush.

Shola Ameobi connected with a Joey Barton header as Newcastle threatened for the first time after half-an-hour, and there followed an uncomfortable interlude where the visitors cannonballed dead balls into Liverpool's box.

The hosts responded when Lucas got his forehead to a John Flanagan cross. His attempt was good but Krul was aware.

The second half began with close calls at either end: Barton firing wide from a Kevin Nolan centre and Suarez dancing past a couple of defenders at the Kop end before his shot was almost deflected beyond Krul by Mike Williamson.

The Uruguayan made a nuisance of himself again on 58 minutes to earn Liverpool a penalty, hassling Williamson when most others would have let it be. Possession was gained and in a bid to recover the Newcastle defender grabbed hold of Suarez's shirt. Referee Peter Walton showed no hesitation and neither did Kuyt, sending Krul the wrong way to make it 2-0.

It was Kuyt's 14th goal of the season in all competitions - and his eighth in his last seven league outings.

For his next trick the Holland international turned provider, diverting the ball into the path of Suarez on 65 minutes with a sweet flick of his right boot. The No.7 couldn't miss from six yards out.

With the points secure, Dalglish introduced Carroll to a standing ovation from the Kop.

But it was Meireles who was next to threaten, coming within inches of making it 4-0 with a diving header from Johnson's cross.

Liverpool have already started putting their squad together for next season's Premier League title challenge with the signing of Sylvain Marveaux.

The free transfer for the Rennes midfielder was agreed in April, with the former France Under-21 coming to the end of his contract, but the details of his Merseyside contract are now being revealed by French newspaper L'Sport.

The respected French paper reports that the attacking midfielder, previously of interest to Manchester United and Chelsea before his injury, has agreed a four-year deal with a possible fifth year based on appearances and performance.

The left-footed winger has played just 10 league games this season, having picking up a serious groin injury in November. but still achieved one goal and two assists.
And that form is believed to have attracted the attention of Liverpool's French director of football Damien Comolli, who plays a pivotal role in the club's European recruitment policy

Dirk Kuyt has paid tribute to Maxi Rodriguez after the Argentine struck a treble to end Liverpool's Birmingham City hoodoo and reignite their quest for a place in Europe next season.

The former Atletico Madrid star plundered three of the Reds' five goals to secure a first league success over the Blues since May 2004.

Kuyt admitted he was surprised that it had been so long since Liverpool last triumphed against Alex McLeish's side but was quick to praise the man of the moment for his role in the victory.

"I thought Maxi was unbelievable," Kuyt told Liverpoolfc.tv.

"It must be difficult for him not to be involved in every game at the moment. But then, when the manager gave him his chance, he didn't just score one goal - he got three.

"They were great goals too and everyone is really happy for him."

Kuyt continued: "We played a terrific game. Straight from the start we were on top of them.

"It has been a bit of a while since we last beat them. I was actually reading about that in the programme before the game, so it was good to defeat them and put that behind us.

"But more importantly we played well and kept going right until the end."


Our No.18 continued his rich vein of form with the Reds' second goal against the Blues, taking his tally to seven in his last six league matches.

And he revealed he had already spoken to Maxi about the similarities with his own treble against Manchester United.

Kuyt said: "We weren't discussing which one was better but we were trying to count how many yards it was in total for each hat-trick - I think it will be a close thing!

"I'm feeling good at the moment and have taken a lot of confidence from the manager. It's not just me, it's the whole team. We are playing well and enjoying our football.

"Speaking for myself, I am really happy. I played up front with Luis (Suarez) and it went well again. I was really happy to score another goal."

Kuyt also had words of praise for teenage full-backs John Flanagan and Jack Robinson on an afternoon that saw the latter make his full Liverpool bow.

"It's great to see the local lads involved but it's also nice to see them playing so well," he said.

"Everyone saw each of them play their first game. Sometimes those are easier because after that people expect things from them. But I thought they both produced terrific performances.

"It's almost a shame for Jay Spearing because nobody is talking about him as much. He's also doing very well. He hadn't played too many games himself but he is starting to play matches in a row now and is doing great."

The 5-0 victory over Birmingham coupled with Tottenham's draw with West Brom moved Liverpool to within three points of a European berth - albeit having played a game more than the Londoners.

Kuyt insisted the Reds must continue to take it one game.

He added: "The most important thing for us is to focus on our own game. We played terrific today and we must now make sure we do the same next week against Newcastle.

"We want to win every game between now and the end of the season - then we can see what happens. But I think our chances are getting bigger and bigger."