LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) — Raheem Sterling helped Liverpool keep alive their hopes of finishing inside the Premier League’s top four and securing a place in next season’s Champions League with a 2-0 victory over 10-man Newcastle United at Anfield yesterday.

The Reds clinched the win thanks to goals from Sterling and Joe Allen, as they closed the gap on fourth-placed Manchester City to four points with six matches of the season remaining.

The result also meant Newcastle, who had captain Moussa Sissoko sent off seven minutes from time, have lost their last five league matches.

Liverpool were without Daniel Sturridge, injured in last week’s FA Cup quarter-final win over Blackburn Rovers that has left him doubtful for Sunday’s semi-final with Aston Villa at Wembley.

However, Jordon Ibe returned to the starting line-up after six weeks out with a knee injury, while Emre Can was back from suspension.

Newcastle made three changes from their derby defeat to Sunderland as Gabriel Obertan, Mehdi Abeid and Vurnon Anita replaced Sammy Ameobi, Yoan Gouffran and Jonas Gutierrez.

Liverpool showed plenty of intent early on as Sterling and Philippe Coutinho dropped deep in search of the ball, eager to run at Newcastle backline.

The home side’s early pressure yielded the opening goal in the ninth minute.

Sterling’s uncertainty over whether he will sign a new Liverpool contract has led to accusations of greed from some Liverpool fans but his ninth-minute goal went some way to restoring his reputation with supporters.

Jordan Henderson’s cross-field pass was adroitly cushioned by Sterling, who cut inside Ryan Taylor and curled a finish high into the net past the outstretched palm of Tim Krul.

The Newcastle goalkeeper was called into action shortly afterwards when a cleverly worked Liverpool free kick on the edge of the visitors’ box saw Henderson slip in Coutinho, only for his low shot to be saved.

Despite Liverpool’s dominance, the away team flickered into life shortly before the half-hour mark when Gabriel Obertan’s cross dropped for Mehdi Abeid but he could only shoot straight at Simon Mignolet.

Lucas Leiva should have increased Liverpool’s lead when he found himself unmarked and got his head on a Henderson free kick, only for Dutch international Krul to save spectacularly at close range.

On the stroke of half-time Mignolet matched the athleticism of his Newcastle counterpart with a superb diving fingertip save to push a Perez header over the crossbar.

In the second half, Henderson’s low cross found Sterling on the edge of the six-yard box but, with just Krul to beat, he contrived to shoot wide.

It would not affect the outcome of the contest, though, as Liverpool scored a second goal with 20 minutes of the match remaining.

A Liverpool corner was sent back into the Newcastle penalty area and Mike Williamson, rather than clear first time, controlled the ball on his chest only for the alert Allen to react by shooting into the top-left corner of the net.

Liverpool’s task in the remainder of the game was much easier when the visitors were reduced to 10 after a needless late lunge by Sissoko.