Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool: NUFC Player & Tactics Ratings

13. Daryl Janmaat - 8

Yes, that tackle was silly, but it came after Balotelli had basically thrown Mehdi Abeid off the ball, and wasn't just a petulant kick based on who the striker was. And it at least shows his commitment to the cause.

12. Steven Taylor - 8

Yet again an unlikely hero, Taylor's return to the first team has helped inspire greater defensive discipline, greater dynamism, and a much stronger base to allow Coloccini to roam out and defend on the front foot as he likes so much. His aerial ability is not to be under-estimated, and though he's still a bit silly, he should never have been booked for his "antics".

11. Fabricio Coloccini - 9

His return to form is a massive boost for Newcastle: he looks far more like the player he was at the start of last season, rather than the one who has looked off the boil for the start of this one. He's back on the pace, reading attackers well and he's back to the confident player who will take the ball around an advancing player rather than simply looking to smash it out. His harrying high play was a big part of why Mario Baloteli registered just one touch in the box all game.

10. Paul Dummet - 9

Even though his manager says he's not a left-back - and despite my own suggestions that Haidara is a better all round full-back - Dummet was a colossus for Newcastle. Combining with the close attention Sterling got from wide midfield, he never put a foot wrong, keeping disciplined and not allowing Sterling the space behind him to over-run the defence. He wasn't quite a strong in the air, but the tactical set up played to Dummet's strengths, not asking him to attack, and allowing him to control the area that Sterling usually makes his own as if he were a centre-back.