Returning skipper Steven Gerrard sealed victory over Newcastle following two Craig Bellamy goals as Liverpool rose to fifth in Premier League.

Gerrard, who made his second appearance since returning from injury, capped a fine cameo when he tucked in late on.

Bellamy had earlier fired in a low shot after Daniel Agger had diverted Yohan Cabaye's cross past Pepe Reina.

And the former Magpie gave Liverpool the lead from a free-kick before Gerrard scored from a tight angle.

His goal was fully merited after a performance which invigorated Kenny Dalglish's side just as Newcastle were beginning to claw their way back into the contest.

The only surprise was that Liverpool had not added a third goal sooner, such was the quality of Gerrard's deliveries into the box.

But unfortunately for them, Andy Carroll had another night in which he failed to find the target despite crashing a header against the bar from a delicious Gerrard centre.

Newcastle had taken the lead with a lucky goal in the 25th, as Ryan Taylor's cross was headed toward goal by Yohan Cabaye and then deflected off Liverpool defender Daniel Agger to wrongfoot goalkeeper Pepe Reina.

But Bellamy equalised five minutes later with a low shot into the bottom left corner after a poor clearance fell right at his feet, and added the second with a free kick in the 67th.

Gerrard came on as a substitute for his second appearance after a two-month injury layoff and scored the third after running onto a ball from Jordan Henderson and slotting it underneath goalkeeper Tim Krul from a tight angle.