Image source, Getty Images

Liverpool are pretty sloppy at times themselves but - with Newcastle's current tame efforts - it really isn't costing them. Take away the crowd and you would think we are watching a reserve match.

Former Man City and England full-back Danny Mills
at Anfield for 5 live Sport

Image source, Getty Images

"I've been surprised by Newcastle. If I was John Carver I'd have told Newcastle not to play football in their own half but instead to stick the ball in behind Liverpool's defence. But instead they have allowed Liverpool to come back into this and now they are completely dominant. This is like a Liverpool training session."

You can see why Newcastle have lost four league matches on the trot. Liverpool are being given the freedom of Anfield to play their passes. Where's the blood and thunder stuff from the visitors?

That's better. Daryl Janmaat wins the ball inside Liverpool's half, feeds Gabriel Obertan and his cross falls to Mehdi Abeid on the edge of the penalty area. The Newcastle man hits his shot sweetly but it is straight at goalkeeper Simon Mignolet, who gathers.

That fooled everyone. Rather than shooting, Jordan Henderson plays the ball to Phillipe Coutinho and his shot is charged down.

Image source, PA

Jordan Ibe is hacked down by Mike Williamson. Free-kick 25 yards from goal. Chance...

Philippe Coutinho again twists and turns before splitting Newcastle's defence with a pass to Raheem Sterling.

The forward is in acres of space but can't control his cross and Tim Krul gratefully gathers.

Brilliant from Philippe Coutinho. The Brazilian skins the cumbersome Jack Colback inside the area, steps past Mike Williamson's dangled foot, but then crosses low past everyone.

Liverpool are in total control.

Former Man City and England full-back Danny Mills
at Anfield for 5 live Sport

"Ryan Taylor is having a bit of a 'mare at the moment. He doesn't know whether to come and stick close to Raheem Sterling or drop off. He's constantly being caught in two minds and keeps needing to be bailed out by Jack Colback."

A rare attack by Newcastle but Ayoze Perez's cross from the left is over the head of Gabriel Obertan and Liverpool break at pace. Raheem Sterling is just about stopped but the visitors - Ryan Taylor in particular - have no clue how to cope with him.

Image source, Reuters

We asked whether you thought Raheem Sterling would be a Liverpool player next season.

Many thanks to all of you who voted - a tight run thing - 47.9% of you think he will be at Anfield come the start of the next campaign, 43.3% said no and 8.9% of you were undecided.

The Kop will hope you are right.

BBC commentator Guy Mowbray
at Anfield for 5 live Sport

"He may have been pictured this week with a shisha pipe, Raheem Sterling, but he wasn't out of puff when he scored that!"

Raheem Sterling doesn't seem to be bothered by the current speculation about his future. He is enjoying himself out there - Newcastle, not so much.

Moussa Sissoko shows his frustration as he hacks the ball into the crowd and straight into the face of a steward. He apologises.

Liverpool are just showing off now. Some beautiful one-touch passing around some bemused Newcastle defenders. It all comes to nothing but Philippe Coutinho is almost in after another through ball. This time, Mike Williamson just about recovers and clears.

Image source, Reuters

The long ball is causing Newcastle all sorts of problems. Suddenly the visitors look as though they are going to concede every time Liverpool attack.

Tom Bielich: If you can do that every week, Sterling, you might get a song!

Henri Colens: Who needs a song? Great strike from Sterling.

Conor McMeekin: Newcastle pathetic at the back...

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This could be a long evening for Newcastle now. The Magpies had started quite promisingly but, if you defend like that, you are always going to be in trouble.

Gabriel Obertan was like a waxwork as Raheem Sterling waltzed past him. It could be worse as an unmarked Alberto Moreno has a shot saved by Tim Krul.

Former Man City and England full-back Danny Mills
at Anfield for 5 live Sport

"The first moment of quality in this game. It was a long, driven, diagonal ball from Henderson out to Sterling on the wing. A fantastic first touch, the full-back slips over and allows Sterling to come inside onto his right foot and get his shot away.

"He did incredibly well to dig that ball out from under his feet and dink it into the far corner. That is why he is so valuable.

"Newcastle had started brightly, but a killer blow."

Image source, AFP

'He scores when he wants, he scores when he wants. Raheem Sterling - he scores when he wants'. How's that for a song Raheem?

The forward collects Jordan Henderson's diagonal pass, cuts inside and curls the ball into the far corner from inside the penalty area. Lovely finish.

So much for that sloppy start.

Liverpool again give the ball away, this time Jordan Ibe is the guilty culprit. Sunday's FA Cup semi-final against Aston Villa on their minds perhaps?