Magpies pair to plot new path

The deficiencies of Kinnear's squad, further depleted by suspension and injuries, were cruelly exposed by the rampant Reds as they increased their lead at the top of the Barclays Premier League table to three points.

That painful lesson came hours after Ashley announced his decision to take the club off the market, and Kinnear admitted he will be planning his January transfer targets with the chairman, he said: "It is a positive move. He wants to look forward and what we are going to do now is sit down and see where we can strengthen the side and see what sort of money is available."

He added: "That hasn't been made quite clear yet, but there will be money available, for sure.

"We have suggested players to Mike that I would like and now it's really wait and see what price they are.

"(Executive director (football)) Dennis Wise and the rest of the people are finding out just what the prices are."

Newcastle's problems were brought into sharper focus by the gulf in class between Kinnear's side and the one Shay Given almost single-handedly kept at bay for 31 minutes.

The Reds were simply irresistible and had it not been for the Irishman, who made seven fine saves, they would have won by a cricket score.

Gerrard was once again their heartbeat to the delight of a watching Rafael Benitez, who left Robbie Keane sitting on the bench despite the continued absence of Fernando Torres.

Kinnear said: "I probably saw the best performance from a player I have seen in a long time from Gerrard. He was magnificent."