As the Stone says, Papiss Cisse comes to life! A cross finds him at the far post, he brings the ball down neatly on his thigh and then flashes a shot wide, right across goal. It wouldn't have counted as Cisse was pinged for pushing Nathaniel Clyne under the ball. Better though, and it gave the beleagured home fans something to cheer about.

Image source, Reuters

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

"Papiss Cisse has definitely pushed Nathaniel Clyne in the back."

David Ljunggren: It's extraordinary how Newcastle look as though they're beaten, even when they're not losing. There's no zip, no creativity

Mark Voisey: Liverpool need more movement up front. Sturridge would love to be playing against this Newcastle back line!

As I feared, our chances of a 1996-style thriller look slim to none this afternoon. A Newcastle player gets into the Liverpool penalty area for the first time but Siem de Jong misses his volley, handles the bouncing ball and then shins it out for a goal-kick.

Let's say he is rusty.

Image source, AFP/GETTY

The first audible signs of dissent are beginning to ring down from the steep stands. Jordon Ibe is the game's most impressive character thus far. He's giving Paul Dummett a hard day in the office.

Image source, Getty Images

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

"Liverpool look confident at the moment, they are starting to get into the groove."

Do Newcastle lack a key man in the number nine shirt?

Got to be!

Ah, the first chance of the day is a golden one. Jordon Ibe wins a corner with a direct run down Liverpool's right, the delivery is not dealt with, Dejan Lovren nods it down and Christian Benteke gets there before Rob Elliot in the Newcastle goal. Any shot on target would score - but the Belgian lifts it over from five yards out!

Image source, Reuters

Perhaps in a bid to stymie that right-wing bias from Newcastle (not political, literal) the ever-versatile James Milner has moved over to the left as a defensive winger for Liverpool. He'll track his man all day long.

Neither side any closer to having a shot on goal. 

Image source, Reuters

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

"If you look at it from Newcastle so far, it's all down this right-hand side. Moussa Sissoko is trying to occupy the spaces that Alberto Moreno keeps leaving." 

Image source, Opta

Is right-back Daryl Janmaat Newcastle's best attacker? He might just be. He paints a nice picture with Moussa Sissoko but it's all too intricate for my taste and it breaks down. Get it in!

Image source, Reuters

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

"Jurgen Klopp seems nice and relaxed and you can be when you're on a good run. But he seems to trust his players."

Image source, Reuters

Very steady start from both sides. After that first-minute flurry of corners from Liverpool there has been little to talk about. Jordon Ibe has had a few bursts from midfield. He can beat a man. 

Image source, Reuters

It feels like a long time since Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba were wreaking havoc in the Premier League doesn't it? Cisse scored against Palace last weekend but has never got near the form of his first few months in England.

He scored 13 Premier League goals in 14 appearances after arriving in January 2012. He has scored 23 since.

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

"Liverpool can play both ways. They can press no problem, but they can also let teams come on to them and are able to hit on the break."

Image source, Reuters

There are many things about coaching that still baffle me. For example, I note that the Reds have averaged 6.9km more and 84 sprints more per game under Jurgen Klopp than Brendan Rodgers in the top-flight this season.

Is that down simply to Klopp asking them to put in a bit more effort? Surely they were running at full tilt anyway? Bizarre.

Anyway, plenty of sprinting from the visitors already as Nathaniel Clyne carries the ball 60-odd yards to the edge of the Newcastle box but he can't get a shot away. 

Liverpool force three corners in the end, Newcastle looking shaky early on as Martin Skrtel has all sorts of time and space but his shot is blocked. It's the Liverpool fans stationed a mile above the pitch making all the noise so far. 

Image source, AFP/GETTY

'Enjoy the game!' bellows a slightly optimistic PA announcer. Liverpool win a corner inside 17 seconds.

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