Alonso stunner helps Reds beat Magpies

Xabi Alonso scored a stunning goal from his own half to help send Liverpool back into the top half of the Barclays Premiership as they beat Newcastle 2-0.

The Spaniard lobbed Newcastle's Steve Harper from 65 yards in the second half to secure a deserved win at Anfield.

Alonso's brilliant effort - the second time he has scored from his own half in his Liverpool career - doubled the lead given by Dirk Kuyt's first goal for the club on 29 minutes.

The win eased Liverpool's anxiety after back-to-back league defeats to Everton and Chelsea and ended a scoreless run of three games.

Much of the pre-match debate centred around Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez's failure to pick a consistent side and the role of captain Steven Gerrard.

To no great surprise, Benitez chose to change his starting line-up for 92nd consecutive game, with Luis Garcia and Fabio Aurelio coming in.

The inclusion of Garcia in place of Jermaine Pennant allowed Gerrard to switch from the unfamiliar left midfield slot he filled against Chelsea on Sunday to the right.

He was soon racing up the centre of the field, however, as Kuyt played an inviting ball in the second minute. But Steve Harper, deputising for the injured Shay Given, was alert to the danger.

Newcastle's first opportunity came in the 10th minute when Liverpool half-cleared a corner but Jose Reina dealt comfortably with Scott Parker's shot.

Liverpool were dominating the early possession and Craig Bellamy had an opportunity against the club he left in acrimonious circumstances last year when Garcia played him through in the 13th minute. Harper was sharp and denied him from a tight angle.

Aurelio lined up a fierce shot from distance but Parker dived across to block and the Spaniard lost possession again to the same player when well-placed soon after.

Aurelio tried his luck again from a free-kick but the wall did its job and Harper coolly collected Garcia's effort on the rebound. Garcia had another opportunity after 26 minutes but Harper was again untroubled.

Newcastle were on the back foot and the hosts got the break they deserved in the 29th minute when Xabi Alonso played in Steve Finnan and the full-back crossed for Kuyt.

The strong-running Dutchman, without a goal since his move from Feyenoord last month, timed his run well and slid in to beat Harper from close range.

Kuyt tried to grab a spectacular second from a corner shortly before the interval but shot high and wide.

Newcastle had a penalty claim turned down early in the second half when Shola Ameobi fell under pressure from Daniel Agger.

Liverpool responded to win a free-kick outside the area but Garcia's cheeky attempt to push Alonso's cross into the net with his hand did not go unnoticed by referee Mark Halsey.

Garcia was booked for his moment of madness but the Spaniard was back at his best seconds later as he pulled the ball across goal but Kuyt shot wide.

Newcastle twice more claimed penalties for handball but Halsey was having none of it.

Bellamy missed a glaring opportunity to add a second after 55 minutes when Gerrard pressured Peter Ramage and the Welshman raced in on Harper.

The home fans were ready to celebrate as Bellamy - berated at every touch by the visiting supporters - lifted the ball over the keeper but to his horror it rolled wide.

Aurelio curled in a dangerous free-kick just after the hour following a foul on Kuyt by Craig Moore but Harper palmed it past the post.

Liverpool were creating chance after chance and were again unlucky when Gerrard chipped in fine ball for Garcia but the Spaniard shot against the post.

Celestine Babayaro escaped an appeal for handball when Bellamy pulled the ball back from the byline and Kuyt headed wide from an Aurelio cross.

A second goal was no more than Reds' play warranted and it came in remarkable fashion as Alonso struck from his own half of the field for the second time in his Liverpool career.

Alonso tried his luck from 65 yards out and Newcastle watched in horror as Harper stumbled and the ball drifted over his head into the unguarded net. It was the Spaniard's first goal since scoring from his own half against Luton in January.

Gerrard went close to adding a third but shot straight at Harper from a free-kick.

Newcastle had little to offer in response and Liverpool shut them out to claim their first Premiership clean sheet this season.