Steve Stone
Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"If you are the Newcastle manager now are you thinking of bringing on Ayoze Perez as Siem de Jong tires?"

Good stuff from you guys, keep it coming. On the pitch it's better too, much more zip and drive from the hosts, Liverpool looking sluggish. Vurnon Anita clashes with Joe Allen and is booked. 

Much better from Newcastle since half-time. Liverpool have not showed up and Jurgen Klopp gives Roberto Firmino a piece of his mind after the Brazilian bottles a challenge. 

Image source, Reuters

Some excellent responses coming in to the debate posed just after the restart. Is the Premier League dull at the moment?

Ben Wright: I think the evidence the Premier League is getting worse, is how our teams are struggling in Europe more and more each season

Danyal: Top teams aren't worse, lower teams are better. How many star players did Stoke have 5 years ago, now they have Shaqiri etc #bbcfootball, external

Gary Kwok: PL boring? Unfair on some teams - already forgotten about @LFC, external 4-1 @MCFC, external. Brilliant match. #bbcfootball, external

Much better from the hosts as they craft a slick move down the right, Papiss Cisse to Moussa Sissoko, he gets to the line and cuts it back to Georginio Wijnaldum at the front post. Can he chip it? No. It's wide.

Image source, PA

Chancel Mbemba goes on a drive through the centre of the pitch but runs out of gas within sight of the Liverpool goal. Still we await an effort on target. 

Francis Edwards: Premier League top teams are getting worse every year, while elsewhere teams are getting better, RIP English football success.

Giannina Caraceni: Worst part of #NEWLIV, external are the grumps who think it's cool to hate the Premier League using it as evidence the PL is dull

Game on!

Carlisle United, you have lifted my spirits. Here come the players back on to the field at St James' Park. Can they continue the good times?

I showed you a picture earlier of Carlisle United's ground under heavy floodwater and their players have taken a stance.

They will help out anyone who needs them. Fantastic.

I'm getting the impression you aren't overly enamored with this match either...

Graham Green: Did Liverpool use up their weekly goal quota at Southampton on Wednesday? How can they not be ahead against woeful Newcastle?

Andy Gillick: Can't remember last time I watched a good Premier League game , so poor

Bret Ellis: Dreadfully boring match, every credible chance is squandered by Cisse and Liverpool seem utterly lost.

This is the fourth Premier League game this season to not see a shot on target in the first half, and the third to involve Liverpool.  

And the fourth I have been on commentary duty for. Let's have some action!

Half-time. Newcastle started very shakily but improved as the half wore on. 

Image source, Reuters

Cracking effort Jordon Ibe! He drifts in from the left flank, curls a rising shot from 24 yards out and it zips over the top. 

Better from Newcastle, who are growing in stature here. Daryl Janmaat wins a corner, Papiss Cisse nods it on at the front post and Chancel Mbemba heads over the top! Decent opening.

Image source, PA

Image source, Reuters

Steve Stone
Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Liverpool look they thought they had to turn up and they would win. That doesn't happen in the Premier League."

Liverpool get the ball to Jordon Ibe on the left and he makes things happen, he cuts inside and finds Christian Benteke but he runs into danger. Liverpool then get a taste of their own medicine as Newcastle break really incisively. One pass slits Liverpool open and Papiss Cisse is one-on-one with Martin Skrtel, He just needs to get the ball onto his left foot and get a shot away - but he overruns it and the chance dies. 

Is that the start of a change in pace?

Image source, Reuters

Liverpool with more of the ball, but slightly more action in Liverpool's defensive third. Evenly poised. 

Image source, Opta

Some fans begin to stream to the exits to get a pie. pint or maybe a bovril given the current weather conditions. They aren't missing a lot. This game has yet to ignite.