NEWCASTLE ended the year on a downbeat note as ex-striker Craig Bellamy scored a brilliant brace to extend their awful record at Anfield.

United took the lead after Daniel Agger diverted past his own goalkeeper from a Ryan Taylor cross but they were well-beaten by a Liverpool side that brushed off their own poor form to win 3-1.

Bellamy smashed the equaliser past a crowd of Newcastle defenders just four minutes after Agger’s inadvertent contribution, then sent a dipping free-kick past Tim Krul in the second half to edge Liverpool into an unassailable lead.

Steven Gerrard, whose introduction for the ineffectual Charlie Adam turned the tide back in Liverpool’s favour, added a third to end Newcastle’s hopes of building on their Boxing Day win at Bolton.

Pardew will not have many positives to reflect on as he rings in the New Year tonight, Newcastle’s midfield second best for long spells against a Liverpool side that look stronger than their league position suggests.

The visitors had chances, though, ever-present threat Demba Ba seeing a superb chance to draw Newcastle back on terms cleared off the line by Martin Skrtel.

That would have made it 2-2, but Gerrard’s excellent run and finish was a dagger through black-and-white hearts.

Newcastle will need to improve against Manchester United on Wednesday if they are to avoid back-to-back defeats.