Bellamy, Gerrard sink Newcastle

Craig Bellamy bagged a brace and Steven Gerrard was also on the scoresheet as Liverpool boosted their bid for a top four finish with a 3-1 win over Newcastle at Anfield last night.

Kenny Dalglish’s side trailed to Daniel Agger’s own goal midway through the first half, but Bellamy equalised soon after and the former Newcastle striker netted again from a free-kick in the second half.

Skrtel denied Demba Ba an equaliser before Carroll headed the returning Steven Gerrard’s inviting cross against the woodwork.

England midfielder Gerrard, who has missed most of the season due to injury, capped a fine cameo performance with his side’s third goal.

Liverpool are now in fifth place, level on points with fourth-placed Chelsea, while Newcastle remain seventh after another failed trip to Anfield.

Pressure had been growing on Liverpool after their failure to kill off teams at home threatened to cost them a top-four finish.

But they travel to leaders Manchester City on January 3 with hopes of securing a place in next season’s Champions League very much alive.