EPL: Sterling stars as Liverpool maintain Champions League hopes

Liverpool Raheem Sterling helped Liverpool keep alive their hopes of finishing inside the Premier Leagues top four and securing a place in next seasons Champions League with a 20 victory over 10man Newcastle United at Anfield on MondayRaheem Sterling PicAFPThe Reds clinched the win thanks to goals from Sterling and Joe Allen as they closed the gap on fourthplaced Manchester City to four points with six matches of the season remaining The result also meant Newcastle who had captain Moussa Sissoko sent off seven minutes from time have lost their last five league matchesI thought we showed attacking intent in the game won the ball back quickly and controlled the game until the last five six minutes in the first half when we started to give the ball away too cheaply Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers told Sky Sports Liverpool were without Daniel Sturridge injured in last weeks FA Cup quarterfinal win over Blackburn Rovers that has left him doubtful for Sundays semifinal with Aston Villa at WembleyHowever Jordon Ibe returned to the starting lineup after six weeks out with a knee injury while Emre Can was back from suspension Newcastle made three changes from their derby defeat by Sunderland as Gabriel Obertan Mehdi Abeid and Vurnon Anita replaced Sammy Ameobi Yoan Gouffran and Jonas Gutierrez Liverpool showed plenty of intent early on as Sterling and Philippe Coutinho dropped deep in search of the ball eager to run at Newcastle backlineThe home sides early pressure yielded the opening goal in the ninth minute Sterlings uncertainty over whether he will sign a new Liverpool contract has led to accusations of greed from some Liverpool fans but his ninthminute goal went some way to restoring his reputation with supporters Jordan Hendersons crossfield pass was adroitly cushioned by Sterling who cut inside Ryan Taylor and curled a finish high into the net past the outstretched palm of Tim KrulThe Newcastle goalkeeper was called into action shortly afterwards when a cleverlyworked Liverpool freekick on the edge of the visitors box saw Henderson slip in Coutinho only for his low shot to be savedNewcastle penalty despairLucas Leiva should have increased Liverpools lead when he found himself unmarked and got his head on a Henderson freekick only for Dutch international Krul to save spectacularly at close range Newcastle manager John Carver leapt out of the dugout arms outstretched shortly after when the Magpies were denied what appeared to be a clear penaltyDejan Lovren who has struggled in his debut season at Anfield chopped down Ayoze Perez to the extent that even home fans appeared shocked that referee Lee Mason waved play on I think we were fortunate not to give away a penalty but thankfully it didnt go against us said Rodgers Carver added Once we went 10 down we seemed to grow in the gameWe were on the front foot and we dont get a major decision Everyone out there has seen it is a penalty Even Brendan said straight away it is a penalty On the stroke of halftime home keeper Simon Mignolet made a superb diving fingertip save to push a Perez header over the crossbar In the second half Hendersons low cross found Sterling on the edge of the sixyard box but with just Krul to beat he shot wideBut his embarrassment was eased when Liverpool scored a second goal with 20 minutes remaining A Liverpool corner was sent back into the Newcastle penalty area and Mike Williamson rather than clear first time controlled the ball on his chest only for the alert Allen to react with a quickfire shotLiverpools task in the remainder of the game was much easier when the visitors were reduced to 10 men Newcastle midfielder Sissoko went in high on Lucas and was shown a second yellow card by referee Mason although it could conceivably have been a straight red