Why Does Souness Snub Viana?

Liam Atkin was United's other scorer, tapping home from close range on the stroke of half time after Florent Sinama-Pongolle had given the home side a 15th minute lead.

Ramon Calliste looked to have won it for The Reds until Gate popped up in the closing stages with his first goal of the season.

Hugo Viana, who was expected to play, had to make do with a place among the substitutes and didn't make it to the field. His Newcastle future took another twist after he was pulled out of the starting line-up for the third time in a matter of weeks.

In a bizarre series of events, the midfielder had been expecting to pull on a black-and-white shirt for the first time in 15 months last night as the lone senior player in a youthful Newcastle team named to face Liverpool. But at 6pm coach Tommy Craig was informed the player was being withdrawn from the starting line-up.

What has Graeme Souness got against a player he hasn't even seen play? The former European Young Player of the Year is capable of making an offensive contribution on the Premiership stage and as long as the 22-year-old remains on the St James's Park payroll it appears sensible to use his strengths.

NEWCASTLE UNITED RESERVES: Caig; Baxter, Farman, Ramage, Huntington, Marshall (Cave 72), Gate, Smylie, Finnigan, Atkin (Edgar 84), O'Brien Subs (not used): Viana, B Smith, Shanks.