How did they fare? Newcastle's player ratings.

By Neil Brock
December 27 2005

After what was a disappointing display on Michael Owen's return to his old club in the black and white, Neil Brock, after taking his time to calm down a bit, gives his player ratings for the 2-0 defeat at Anfield.

Given 9 - Performances like this make you think you'd rather have him leave the club, head abroad, and take a world class side to a couple of champion's league titles...no blame for the second goal at all, nothing he could've done different.

Babayaro 3- Back to his old self, looked good before he got injured, but truly awful postionally, closing down and fitness-wise. Probably not the best decision to rush him back, yet Elliot could quite easily have been as bad.

Ramage 3 - First time he's really looked like a centre-back playing as a full back. Tried hard, but looked way off the pace, his passing was atrocious and although he worked hard, the quality was nowhere near.

Boumsong 5 - Again the positional sense was lacking, but with no cover from the midfield, was left exposed time and time again. Felt sorry for him in all honesty.

Taylor 4 - Looked ginger, never really got involved in the game and another one who looked to be rushed back far too early. Horrid luck with the injury and fingers crossed for a return to full 100% fitness before too long.

Luque - 4 Really trying to look for positives, couple of decent passes, but left baba exposed time and time again, still looks nowhere near fit, really needs to work with the team and still has a chance of making it as a Newcastle player.

Bowyer - 1 Worst performance of any Newcastle player this season, and that was before the sending off. Time and time again gave the ball away, was all over the place and if Akin says one more time his work rate is good I think I’ll slap him. Transfer list beckons, even if his red card was more than harsh.

N'Zogbia 4 - Been said he prefers the middle to the wing but not obvious by that showing. Looked lost and never really got too involved. Couple of nice touches and an okay run, but as someone said earlier, possibly his worst game for us.

Faye - 4 Has looked good in recent games, but was overrun by Liverpool's midfield and was another caught out of position time and time again. Tried hard but needed Parker there to help out. Disappeared second half.

Owen 5 - Could have played Sir Bobby up front would have made no difference. No service equals no real opportunity to show anyone what he can do. Another I felt sorry for.

Shearer 5 - Worked hard for little reward and again was completley starved of service. Needs to grab a couple of people by the collars and get 'em back into shape before the Charlton game.

Subs

Bramble 4 - Had a poor game after coming on, lost his man more than once and no wonder the Liverpool fans cheered his arrival. Still looks a long way away from being able to cut it at this level.

Solano 3 - Expected so much more from Nobby, should've given away a penalty and really never looked interested. A very poor game in all.

Ameobi 6 - Did alright in the few minutes he had. Looked like he wanted to get involved, few decent passes and really wanted the ball. Will be pushing Luque for the starting role.

The Rest

Souness 4 - Rushed too many players back, made the side look disjointed and why oh why didn't he tell them to pressurise Liverpool? They had all the time in the world, and you would expect the manager to get 'em on their toes and closing down. Also played far too deep, allowing Liverpool's strength in the air to dominate from start to finish.

Mark Halsey 1 - An absolute joke of a performance from start to finish. We were so bad it would have made no real difference, but barely made a right decision the whole game. From the first Liverpool chance when Crouch was climbing all over Ramage in the box to knock a ball down you knew he was clueless. Missed everything from Morientes' sly handball, Nobbys peno, Gerrard’s shove on Shearer and choke on Bowyer, I could go on all week. The red card was the piece d'resistance though. After missing Shearer's face being maimed against Grimsby, this lad needs a few years in the lower divisions to straighten him out.

All in all, one-step forward two steps back? We'll see against Charlton on Wednesday.