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Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings: Georgino Wijnaldum? Jack Colback? Alberto Moreno? Who was the star man?

McClaren's Magpies got a much-need three points

Sunday 06 December 2015 19:24 GMT

Georgino Wijnaldum celebrates making it 2-0 to Newcastle (Getty Images)

Liverpool missed the chance to close in on the Premier League's top four when they suffered a shock 2-0 defeat to lowly Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday.

Dutchman Georginio Wijnaldum, signed from PSV Eindhoven in the close-season, forced Martin Skrtel into an own goal in the 69th minute and then added a second himself in added time.

That gave Newcastle only a second home win of the season and took them above neighbours and relegation rivals Sunderland in the bottom three.

All that Liverpool could point to after a disappointing display was a wrongly-disallowed goal by full-back Alberto Moreno that would have brought them an equaliser 10 minutes from the end.

BUT WHO WAS THE STAR MAN? RATINGS BELOW...

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Show all 22

1/22Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Newcastle: Rob Elliot 6 out of 10

Didn't have to make a save until the 88th minute, and claimed a deserved clean sheet.

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Daryl Janmaat 6 out of 10

A more composed performance from the Dutchman as he dealt with Milner and Moreno on the right.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Fabricio Coloccini 7 out of 10

The much-maligned Newcastle captain led by example, remaining strong at the back and eager to get forward.

2015 Getty Images

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Chancel Mbemba 7 out of 10

Kept Benteke quiet, and twice fancied his chances of opening the scoring.

Getty Images

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Paul Dummett 7 out of 10

A steady performance summed up by an excellent second half challenge on Clyne.

2015 Getty Images

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Moussa Sissoko 6 out of 10

Made questionable decisions at time, but was brilliant in setting up Wijnaldum's late goal.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Jack Colback 7 out of 10

Continued his return from injury with a competitive display in which he picked up his customary booking.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Vurnon Anita 6 out of 10

Protected his defence well on the rare occasions that Liverpool looked to attack.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Georginio Wijnaldum 8 out of 10

Scored the second, and responsible for the first, the Dutchman was the reason this encounter didn't end goalless.

2015 Getty Images

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Siem de Jong 5 out of 20

Looked off the pace on his first start of the season although had little in the way of service before his removal.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Papiss Cisse 5 out of 10

Wayward with his shooting, he was also cautioned for an awful challenge on Lallana.

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Liverpool: Simon Mignolet 5 out of 10

Had little chance in stopping either Newcastle goal on an otherwise quiet afternoon. 5

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Nathaniel Clyne 5 out of 10

Unable to influence the game as much in the final third as he has in recent weeks.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Martin Skrtel 5 out of 10

Another own-goal to add to his tally summed up a sloppy performance.

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Dejan Lovren 5 out of 10

An attacking threat late on, the defender afforded Newcastle's forwards too much space at crucial moments.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Alberto Moreno 7 out of 10

Unfortunate to have an excellent goal unfairly ruled out, the Spaniard was once again one of Liverpool's most impressive attackers

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Lucas Leiva 6 out of 10

May be lacking in pace, but his awareness of the game remains impressive in midfield.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Joe Allen 5 out of 10

Unable to take advantage of his opportunity back in the side, he was off target at times with both his passing and shooting

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Jordon Ibe 5 out of 10

Always looked to be direct, he struggled to find a way beyond his marker on the right.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Roberto Firmino 6 out of 10

Demonstrated a neat touch on the ball, he too failed to make inroads in attack.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

James Milner 7 out of 10

Thoroughly professional on his return to St James' Park, he looked the likeliest player to unlock the Newcastle defence.

2015 Liverpool FC

Newcastle 2 Liverpool 0 player ratings

Christian Benteke 5 out of 10

Spooned the first half's best chance over the bar, and failed to make an impact before his substitution

2015 Liverpool FC

Juergen Klopp's side remain seventh, six points behind the Champions League places, after only their second defeat in the 12 games since the German took took over from Brendan Rodgers in October.

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