It has not been a happy Christmas for Ruud Gullit - at least as far as football is concerned.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Alan Green reports from Anfield

He sent out his £23m strike force of Alan Shearer and Duncan Ferguson out together for the first time against Leeds on Boxing Day and saw his Newcastle side lose 3-0.

Things looked better at Anfield as they opened a two-goal lead but Liverpool underlined their resurgence under Gerard Houllier by storming back for an ultimately convincing win.

Ferguson had to go off as Liverpool's Michael Owen and Karl-Heinz Riedle stole the striking headlines with two goals each.

Ince missing The home side were without England midfielder Paul Ince, who was serving a one match suspension and Newcastle almost struke in the opening minute.

Ferguson was put through by Shearer and his left-foot shot seemed bound for the corner, but David James saved well with his left hand.

Both defences appeared vulnerable and Owen was sent through by Jamie Redknapp after 15 minutes, only for Shay Given to keep out his 20-yard shot.

Laurent Charvet should have given Newcastle the lead before Liverpool lost Steve McManaman after a bad challenge from Dieter Hamann, which earned the German a booking.

Solano fires Newcastle ahead

Newcastle took the lead on 28 minutes when Shearer laid the ball off to Norbert Solano, whose powerful drive flew past David James to silence the Kop.

Hamann was sent off within 60 seconds of the goal for tripping Patrik Berger but Andreas Andersson, on as a substitute for Ferguson, benefitted from a mistake by Babb and Carragher to round David James and put Newcastle two up after 55 minutes.

Liverpool went to a 4-4-2 formation, with Jason McAteer replacing Babb and David Thompson on for Gerrard.

The changes heralded a Liverpool barrage and Owen finally netted on 67 minutes after latching onto Carragher's shot to send Given the wrong way.

Riedle levelled for the Reds when he volleyed in from close range after Veggard Heggem had crossed dangerously.

The floodgates were open and Owen sent the Kop into delirium on 80 minutes when he deflected Redknapp's shot onto the post and tucked away the rebound.

Riedle rounded off the scoring when Berger's through ball sent the German clear, and he rounded Given to slot calmly home.

Liverpool: James, Staunton, Babb, McManaman, Owen, Redknapp, Riedle, Heggem, Berger, Bjornebye, Carragher. Subs: Friedel, McAteer, Thompson, Gerrard.

Newcastle: Given, Pearce, Howey, Shearer, Speed, Hamann, Charvet, Glass, Ferguson, Solano, Hughes. Subs: Barnes, Harper, Georgiadis, Dabizas, Andersson.