England contenders Robert Lee and Andy Cole kept Newcastle in the hunt for a European place on an Anfield afternoon tinged with sadness.
Stylish Newcastle stroked the ball around with an arrogance that suggested they are ready to assume the mantle of invincibility manager Kevin Keegan once helped Liverpool build as a player.
Keegan could be proud as Newcastle produced some magic moments on his first return trip to Anfield for a league game as manager.
The fans played their part, to, in a memorable occasion. Newcastle supporters joined the Liverpool fans in a meaningful chorus of their theme song "You'll never walk alone" to mark the fifth anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Afterwards, Newcastle fans laid wreaths in one of the goalmouths. The Kop fans saluted "old boys" Peter Beardsley and Barry Venison before Lee showed there cannot be too much room for sentiment on the pitch. After just three-and-a-half minutes Lee accelerated clear of Neil Ruddock and Steve Nicol to turn an Andy Cole pass beyond David James.
Cole emphasised Newcastle's superiority in the 56th minute after Lee and Ruel Fox combined to open the way for his 39th goal of the season. That equalised the Newcastle record for a season, held jointly by Hughie Gallacher (1927) and George Robledo (1951).
Prompted by Lee and the fit-again Paul Bracewell, Newcastle established midfield control early on and never relinquished it. James prevented Cole and Beardsley extending Newcastle's lead while Pavel Srnicek reacted smartly to deny Ian Rush in one of Liverpool's few penetrating attacks.
Liverpool manager Roy Evans decided to persevere with Robbie Fowler instead of bringing in Don Hutchison, and the young England striker almost snatched what would have been a memorable goal with a fifth minute lob from 30 yards that beat the stranded Srnicek but bounced wide.
Said Keegan: "For anyone who has been involved with Liverpool it was a very emotional afternoon. But for me the highlight came when our fans started singing `You'll never walk alone' to get the Liverpool supporters going. The Liverpool fans didn't have much to sing about and it was as if our supporters thought they couldn't come to Anfield without hearing the Liverpool people sing their song in all it's glory."
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