Shambolic Liverpool ended the game in disarray with 10 men as they slid to a 2-0 defeat at Newcastle here on Sunday, with Andy Carroll suffering a humiliating return to Tyneside. Papiss Cisse scored twice as Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina saw red in the latest blow to the Reds' rapidly disintegrating Premier League campaign.
A sixth loss in seven league games left the League Cup holders languishing in eighth place, 11 points adrift of their hosts, who drew level with Chelsea in fifth thanks to a third consecutive victory.
Liverpool finished the match in embarrassing fashion after a late red card for Reina to leave manager Kenny Dalglish with a mounting list of problems after his keeper was ruled out of the FA Cup semi-final with local rivals Everton. The Spain international received his marching orders following a bad-tempered spat with James Perch, where he appeared to aim a headbutt at the Newcastle man.
With Dalglish having already used all three of his substitutes, former Newcastle defender Jose Enrique went between the posts for the last few minutes.
Carroll received a predictably frosty reception from a 52,000 St James' Park sell-out on his first return since a £35 million move to Anfield.
The England forward, who has under-achieved in his 14 months on Merseyside, again failed to find the net before being substituted 10 minutes from the end.