Liverpool crushed Newcastle 5-1

Two goal Gerrard is all smiles after making it 4-1 and helping Liverpool
3 point clear at the top of the Premier league

Steven Gerrard celebrates giving Liverpool the lead at Newcastle.

Ryan Babel celebrates after re-establishing Liverpool's two goal lead.

Xabi Alonso scores from the penalty spot to seal Liverpool's emphatic 5-1 victory

Sami Hyper celebrates with team mate Agger after scoring for Liverpool

Steven Gerrard of Liverpool scores the opening goal against Newcastle during their
Premier League match at St James Park on December 28, 2008 in Newcastle

Daniel Agger battles with Micheal Owen of Newcastle

Sami Hypia scores his team's second goal against Newcastle

Steven Gerrard bagged a brace as Liverpool laid down the Premier League title gauntlet with a ruthless 5-1 demolition of Newcastle on Sunday.

The England midfielder got the ball rolling with a 31st-minute opener and then after Sami Hyypia and Ryan Babel had struck either side of David Edgar's header, he completed the job with a 66th-minute second.

There was still time for substitute Xabi Alonso to convert a 76th-minute penalty after fellow newcomer David Ngog had been tripped by Edgar to complete a miserable afternoon for Joe Kinnear's injury-ravaged side, for whom goalkeeper Shay Given made seven remarkable saves.
The victory was all the sweeter for manager Rafa Benitez, coming two days after a comprehensive 3-0 victory over Bolton and while star striker Fernando Torres continues to recover from a hamstring injury. Full Story