A poor pitch, bad luck and a referee who may as well have been wearing black and white stripes all combined to condemn Liverpool to a tenth league game without a win. But there was also the crucial factor of management ineptness and playing incompetence as the Reds plummeted to new depths in this barren run.
This was the first time I have ever been to Newcastle off my own steam. My previous visits have always been by coach and I therefore became a 'guest' of the Tyne and Wear police at Washington Services, who keep away fans there for an hour before escorting them straight to the turnstiles. But despite having the opportunity to roam around this time, my ability to have a few pints was limited by the fact I had to drive home and that many pubs are firmly 'home fans only'.
A travesty when you consider how they invade the area around Anfield en masse when they come down here. A very insular lot they are.
St James Park itself is a magnificent stadium but away fans are seated in the worst part of it, seven storeys high and in the corner. This means the view is worse than the Nou Camp, where you are at least close to the pitch even if high up.
Reds fans were in quite good voice, while the supposedly vociferous Toon Army could only come up with the odd and frankly ridiculous chant of 'Geordies'.
Referee Dermot Gallagher demonstrated his intentions in the very first minute when Steven Gerrard was booked for a clumsy tackle. It wasn't malicious, just a little over zealous, as Steven obviously wanted to get stuck in. But at that stage of the game a warning would have sufficed. As the half went on he would give Newcastle everything, book Diao as well and wait about half an hour before giving Liverpool a free kick.
Newcastle started brightly and it only took them twelve minutes to take the lead when they were awarded a free kick 25 yards out after a foul by John Arne Riise. When things aren't going your way the last thing you need is a lucky deflection for the opposition. That's exactly what happened as Lauren Robert's drive hit Milan Baros, wrong footed Kirkland and went into the net.
Although it was unfortunate on Kirkland, we can't get away from the fact that had Baros not jumped, the ball would simply have hit him and bounced away. His actions in defending the free kick led to it deflecting in.
For the rest of the half Newcastle continued to have the bulk of possession and only a great save by Kirkland from Acuna prevented them extending their lead. Up front Liverpool offered nothing, Baros being an isolated figure and Diouf having to drop back into his own half to get the ball himself.
Cheyrou looked short of fitness, Diao anything but the 'new Viera' Houllier billed him as when he signed, while on the right poor Igor Biscan was totally out of it. Only Steven Gerrard made any effort and in the 35th minute he had Liverpool's first shot on goal after drifting inside from the right, but his effort was tame and easily he'd by the keeper.
Liverpool were a lot livelier in the opening moments of the second half and a certain equaliser beckoned when Diao headed into the path of Baros. Unfortunately the Czech failed to connect with the ball completely and that was enough for Houllier, who brought on Neil Mellor for his first Premiership appearance.
Whether Baros came off because of a knock he picked up in the first half or because Houllier was still seething from the goal and now the missed chance, we'll never know. But the introduction of Mellor did buoy the away fans, although they were groaning with the next change five minutes later, when Smicer came on for Cheyrou.
Liverpool continued to huff and puff but got nowhere. The lack of a suitable wide player was clearly exposed, as Mellor kept on going to the right himself and crossing the ball in to where he should be. Houllier's 'seven men behind the ball' means there's no room for imagination and there was no chance of a midfielder covering Mellor’s striking position.
Gallagher continued to brand yellow cards at every Reds indiscretion, with Diouf being cautioned for throwing the ball away after being penalised near the corner flag. You could say it was petulance on Diouf's part, but at least it was a clear sign that he cared and so desperately wanted to win.
Then the chances were hampered even further with tweny minutes left when Diao was sent off for a second bookable offence after a wild lunge on Robert.
The reduction to ten men galvanised Liverpool briefly. Mellor had a good effort go just wide of the post and then saw a header well saved. But Newcastle then began to impose themselves more with Robert and Jenas both going close. Then with twelve minutes reaming came the substitution that signalled Houllier was waving the white flag. Off came Diouf and on came Gregory Vignal.
A defender coming on for a striker when we were 1-0 down, it left a debutant as our loan attacker. It was probably the most ridiculous non injury prompted substitution in the history of Liverpool FC and a clear sign that Houllier has lost his way.
Not once during the game did he enter the technical area. I've noticed this a lot with him. When we are winning, he is up there 'conducting the play'. But when we are losing, he just sits on the bench morosely, as he has no Plan B. He reminded me of Erikson in the World Cup game against Brazil when he accepted defeat and sent on Vassell for Owen.
Some Reds fans started to leave at this point and the trickle became a flood with four minutes left when Gerrard went for goal rather than float a free kick into the box. The tame effort went well wide and summed up Liverpool's desperation. The away section was only about a third full by the time of the final whistle and yet another defeat.
Houllier went on Sky Sports and in part blamed the pitch, but Newcastle had to play on it too. Liverpool failed to pass properly or control the ball and created just 1 or 2 clear chances. It's ten games without a win now and we are below Southampton and as near to relegation as winning the league. It's a welcome diversion that the next two games are in cup competitions.
There's no point trying to make excuses any more. Two to three games without a win can be blamed on bad luck, but ten is a major crisis. We have gone backwards this season. Arsenal, United and perhaps Chelsea and Newcastle are now better than us. From second best to fifth best, despite £18 million on new signings!
The transfer window is now open but I wouldn't give Houllier any money as he can't be trusted. He either sells to raise funds to buy or he gets the players he has performing to the ability he says they can. If he can't he will have to accept that he has taken Liverpool FC as far as they can go and walk away.
