The official statement released by Messrs Gillett and Hicks last Thursday showed the co-chairmen's lack of knowledge of the Liverpool way. The Liverpool way suggests things to be discussed behind closed doors rather than airing the dirty linen in public.

The Liverpool way of doing things, though, cannot be found in any book and, for all their wealth, such knowledge of ethics can never be bought. And with the owners residing in the States the chances of learning such ethics is as possible as a fish preferring the soil to the water.

On Saturday, Rafael Benitez and his squad answered in the best possible Liverpool way, and that is on the pitch. The Reds produced their finest performance so far as they just swept past a lucky Newcastle side that ended the match with just a three-goal deficit.

'Liverpool have not been in such a promising position for ages’

Liverpool were fluid yet blunt, concentrated and direct, confirming their impeccable away form, testing all the way the loyalty and patience of the so-called 'best fans in the world' who were seen leaving the ground early and booing every decision by their manager Sam Allardyce.

Steven Gerrard returned to form with a fantastic goal from a free kick and, like Benitez, could not have dreamt of a better answer to the booing Geordie fans. A lay-off by Lucas Leiva after Fernando Torres had been fouled by Emre let the captain compose himself in the best possible way as he let fly from 30 yards.

Torres began his amazing series of missed opportunities by having a shot blocked by the onrushing Shay Given and then, in the same action, could only direct a pass from Dirk Kuyt against the post. It just wasn't the Spaniard’s day in a match where, fortunately, Liverpool could afford to miss a hatful of chances. At times it looked like their main priority was getting Torres on the score-sheet – that’s how comfortable they were. But in the second minute of the second half a corner by Gerrard was flicked on by Sami Hyypia in the six-yard box and Kuyt scored off his knee.