Newcastle United striker Papiss Demba Cisse (left) celebrates after scoring the first goal against Liverpool. Pic/AFP

Liverpool were reduced to 10 men with eight minutes remaining as goalkeeper Pepe Reina was sent off after he appeared to headbutt Newcastle's James Perch.

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By then Liverpool had used all their substitutes, so full-back Jose Enrique, one of several former Newcastle players in the visitors' team, had to go between the posts.

The result condemned Liverpool to a sixth defeat in seven league matches and left them in eighth place, one position below Merseyside rivals Everton -- and 11 points adrift of Newcastle.

Cisse's dislay was in marked contrast to that of Andy Carroll, the former Newcastle striker signed by Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish for £35 million in January last year.

Carroll, who has scored only five league goals since arriving at Anfield, was booked for diving when, with the game still goalless, he went to ground after rounding Magpies' keeper Tim Krul rather than shoot at his old home ground.

Victory left Newcastle in sixth place but level on points with Chelsea (fifth) and just two behind Tottenham Hotspur, currently occupying the fourth and final Champions League place on offer to English clubs.u00a0Tottenham will draw level with third-placed north London foes Arsenal if they beat Swansea at White Hart Lane later Sunday.

Meanwhile Premier League leaders and reigning champions Manchester United will go five points clear of second-placed local rivals Manchester City, with seven games remaining, if they beat Blackburn Rovers at Old Trafford on Monday.
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