Goals from Maxi Rodriguez, Dirk Kuyt and Luis Suarez helped resurgent Liverpool move into fifth place in the Premier League after a crushing 3-0 win over Newcastle at Anfield on Sunday.

The build up

Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has left Anfield by mutual consent, the Premier League club confirmed on Thursday. The 50-year-old’s position had been in doubt since it emerged on Wednesday that talks over his future with Reds chairman Martin Broughton and managing director Christian Purslow had broken down.