PA PhotosCabaye is congratulated by his Newcastle team-mates after firing home against Liverpool

Ten-man Newcastle United came away from Anfield with a hard fought but deserved draw on Sunday afternoon and in doing so ended a dismal run of seven consecutive defeats away to Liverpool.

As expected, Liverpool came flying out of the blocks. They played at as high a tempo as I've seen from any team this season, and this helped them enjoy a lot of early pressure, with Luis Suarez always the focal point, but Tim Krul was rarely tested.

The visitors took the lead just before half-time showing the home team - like so many other sides have done in the past two years - that possession and pressure mean nothing without a cutting edge. Hatem Ben Arfa waltzed down the right wing and his accurate, deep cross found Yohan Cabaye who applied a world-class finish.

Liverpool equalised through a world-class goal of their own. Brendan Rodgers admires Barcelona's brand of 'tiki-taka' football and his so-far failed attempts at replicating Barca's twenty-year project within about twenty days were replaced by a goal that came from what Sam Allardyce might call a 'long pass'. Enrique launched a 50-yard ball that Suarez controlled on his shoulder before he dummied then rounded Krul and passed into an empty net. Brilliant. The plus side of Suarez's game, and the only reason the Liverpool faithful stand by a man whose general behaviour is seen as despicable by supporters of other clubs throughout the country (and by a fair few Liverpool fans too.)

That was the end of the scoring but not the end of the talking points.

Suarez was at his best and worst on Sunday. His pathetic reaction to a superb Fabricio Coloccini challenge in the Newcastle penalty area in the first half was not unusual. The Uruguayan and Argentinian kept the battle going as the game went on and eventually the Newcastle captain rose to the bait. After constant verbals Coloccini lost the plot and his ridiculous attempt at a high footed challenge on Suarez saw him shown a straight red card.

Minimal contact was made, yet Suarez hit the ground as if Coloccini had taken a Black & Decker Scorpion saw to him. Nothing new in terms of reaction, however Coloccini can have no complaints as his intent was there for all to see. It was an absolutely ridiculous thing to do and Newcastle now face their most winnable trio of games so far this season without their captain. Though there were only six minutes to play when Coloccini was sent off, Suarez still managed to get in some obligatory 'imaginary card waving' before full-time when Davide Santon was booked.

Sadly, the Kop also seem to be suffering from a bout of Suarezitis these days - the most noise they made came when appealing for the dubious claims of everyone's favourite Uruguayan.

Injuries to Demba Ba, James Perch and Yohan Cabaye plus suspensions for Cheick Tiote and Fabricio Coloccini could leave Alan Pardew with some serious selection problems for the visit of West Ham to St James' Park next Sunday. Newcastle head to Brugge in between and are likely to field a young side for the Europa League clash.

Sammy Ameobi provided a plus for the Newcastle manager. He replaced Ba, played most of the second half and looked very promising. He was arguably Newcastle's star man in the second half and could go on to play a big part in the remainder of the season.

In summary, Liverpool dominated territorially but failed to win - as has been the case so many times over the past two seasons. For the second time in as many away games, Newcastle defended brilliantly, earning themselves a point despite ending both games with ten men.

Wins are needed soon though. Sunderland have been abysmal this season but a win in their home game in hand against Reading would see them only two points behind Newcastle as the league stands tonight. Newcastle are about to embark on what should be (on paper) their easiest run of games this season: West Ham (H), Swansea (H), Southampton (A), Stoke (A), Wigan (H), Fulham (A). I repeat, wins are needed, though injuries might provide an obstacle.

Follow me on twitter @MarcSDuffy for Newcastle United chat

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