Goalless, practically chanceless at the break. The 4-3s of 1996 and 1997 seem a long, long, long way away now...

Image source, Getty Images

After a long, long delay, Papiss Cisse takes the free-kick but scoops it well over the crossbar. Poor...

Ali Tahabrown:, external Liverpool simply must play two strikers if Mario Balotelli is playing. Brendan Rodgers needs to put Rickie Lambert on in the second half.

A Karim:, external If you take Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge out of any team, they will straggle. Judge Liverpool once they have a decent striker up front.

Sanjay Pankhania:, external Balotelli needs a partner upfront with him. Fabio Borini linked up well in the last game why can't Brendan see that is beyond me!

He never looked set! Moussa Sissoko ran at the Liverpool backline, Martin Skrtel looked panicked and eventually just chopped down the Newcastle man. That's a booking, and a free-kick in a dangerous place.

Interestingly, Steven Taylor is then booked for getting in Simon Mignolet's face again...

Former Blackpool and England defender Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at St James' Park

"Liverpool's first real chance of the match. It came from a dead ball situation, so Alan Pardew may be disappointed, but it was a perfect ball from Steven Gerrard. Martin Skrtel heads it past the post but it was a good chance.

"The best two openings have come in the last two minutes; first with Newcastle having an effort cleared off the line. Despite the fact they have lost Gabriel Obertan, Newcastle have come in into the game much more now. But on the whole neither goalkeeper has had much to do."

A set-piece looks the most likely avenue to goal for either side. After Newcastle had Liverpool worried, the Reds should score at the other end. Martin Skrtel has time and space to win a header from six yards out, but screws it wide, before running into Sammy Ameobi and getting winded in the process.

Double blow.

Glen Johnson, all is forgiven! I may have questioned the right-back's defending earlier but that is fine stuff, reacting well to head off the line after Papiss Cisse helped on a corner.

The second corner is flapped at horribly by Simon Mignolet, before the ex-Sunderland man claims a third corner comfortably.

Half-time at Molineux and it is goalless. Birmingham, under new manager Gary Rowett, have not managed a shot on target.

Still, they were 3-0 down at half-time to Bournemouth last week.

Progress.

Follow the action via our separate live text commentary on the game.

Intimidating stuff from Steven Taylor, who is right in Simon Mignolet's face as the Liverpool keeper tries to organise his wall. not very gentlemanly that Steven.

Referee Andre Marriner waves him away and the free-kick is deflected behind for a corner. In the mixer? Dearie me. A shocker of a corner from Mehdi Abeid. Ankle high cleared by the first man. Get him off set-pieces...

Gabriel Obertan has finally got on a stretcher and receives warm applause as he starts the long journey back to the treatment room. A snapped thigh muscle cannot be good news for anyone.

Unfortunately, and unlike Obertan's thigh, the deadlock remains robustly intact. It's - dare I say it - a bit boring...

Former Blackpool and England defender Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at St James' Park

"Rolando Aarons scored the goal that really got Newcastle going away to Manchester City in midweek. He was quick, and he got away beautifully for the goal. It is bad luck for Gabriel Obertan, who is still having treatment, but this is another great opportunity for the youngster. He plays a little bit like Raheem Sterling - he has that zip and goes round players."

Image source, AP

Rolando Aarons' first involvement sees him skin Glen Johnson and then win a free-kick. Johnson looks troubled out there at right-back, are his best days behind him? The set-piece again causes carnage in the Liverpool backline but Dejan Lovren does enough.

As a lower league fan James I'd have to question your claim of 40-yard volleys 'every week'...

Andrew: Jordan Henderson has been very poor in the opening 25 minutes for Liverpool this afternoon. Very wasteful and sloppy in possession. He's doing Liverpool no favours whatsoever.

James: People keep talking about Mario Balotelli's 'class' and 'quality' but I've yet to see any evidence of it - ever. You see players on the Football League Show scoring 40-yard volleys in the top corner every week, nobody talks about their class. One or two good goals doesn't make you class.

Dave: Liverpool are performing this season about where they should be with the squad they have. Last season was a blip, like when Newcastle hit fifth place a few years ago. Just like Newcastle then they've put the blip right this season.

Here he is. Rolando Aarons is introduced into the action with Gabriel Obertan still sitting prone on the far side. Get the man a stretcher!

BBC Sport's Saj Chowdhury at St James' Park: "Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers turns around and mutters something in disgust as Liverpool give away the ball in midfield, which eventually leads to Mehdi Abeid's blocked shot. A few yards to his right, Alan Pardew has already fired out some expletives at a decision that didn't go his side's way in the Reds area. It's hotting up on the touchline."

Former Blackpool and England defender Jimmy Armfield
BBC Radio 5 live at St James' Park

"The last couple of minutes have been much better from Newcastle. The way they have been playing is a bit more 'route one' than Liverpool. The visitors may have had more of the ball but have so far produced no real threat on Tim Krul's goal."

Gabriel Obertan's game is over. The winger goes down at full pace, in agony as his thigh muscle pings. He'd started well too, but now midweek goalscorer Rolando Aarons could get a run out.

Image source, EPA

Richard Parfitt:, external Every time Newcastle play Liverpool and it doesn't end 4-3, it can only be a disappointment.