Newcastle United had the audacity to take the lead at Anfield through Jonjo Shelvey before being handed a wake-up call on Merseyside.
The Magpies were ahead for 14 minutes before nerves started to set in and goals from Diogo Jota and Mo Salah put Liverpool in full control.
There was controversy when Mike Dean did not stop play with Isaac Hayden injured in the build-up to the equaliser but the Reds conjured up a dozen efforts at goal in a pulverising 45 minutes.
Newcastle emerged for the second half and asked one or two questions of the Liverpool defence but Trent Alexander-Arnold put the lid on things late on to secure the points for the Reds.
United ratings
Martin Dubravka 6
A series of stops unfortunately a couple of them have dropped back perfectly for Salah and Jota. Got a glove on Alexander-Arnold's killer goal. Faced 23 shots overall.
Javier Manquillo 6
A busy night with a host of clearances. Did OK but right-back is a position Newcastle are looking at in January.
Fabian Schar 6
Swept clear time after time. A decent effort.
Jamaal Lascelles 5
Survived the axe beforehand but found the going tough and almost conceded second half penalty.
Jamal Lewis
Night ended by injury early on.
Jacob Murphy 7
Spent most of the first half defending. Came into the game after the break much more and unlucky with curling shot. Almost laid one on for Fraser.
Jonjo Shelvey 6
A mixed bag. Super finish to open the scoring before giving ball away for Liverpool's second. Composed enough.
Isaac Hayden 7
Battled hard on his return to the team. Full of running as he tried to support the attack.
Ryan Fraser 6
Felt he should have had a penalty but did not manage to get in one accurate cross.
Joelinton 6
Stuck to his task in a packed midfield
Allan Saint-Maximin 6
A difficult task as the lone man but had some decent moments in the first half. Hobbled off before the end.
Subs
Matt Ritchie 6 (for Lewis 14)
Thrown on to try to deal with Salah and co. Did OK but found it hard at times.
Callum Wilson (for Saint-Maximin 79)
Joe Willock (for Fraser 87)
*Subs must play 15 minutes to earn a mark
