Sturridge and Suarez red-hot

Newcastle United 2 Liverpool 2

“All we have to do is give the ball to Daniel Sturridge and Luis [Suarez],” said Henderson. “Then we just let them do their magic.”

As far as game plans go, it’s not exactly a bad idea.

Liverpool’s effervescent strikers have struck up an immediate understanding since Suarez returned from suspension last month, and they combined again to wrest a point from an enthralling game at Newcastle that appeared to be slipping away from the visitors.

Trailing with 18 minutes left despite their opponents playing the entire second-half with just ten men, Suarez darted to the byline and crossed for Sturridge to head home his ninth goal of a hugely productive campaign.

There are plenty of potential reasons why Liverpool may not sustain a title challenge this season, not least the defensive deficiencies that contributed to both Newcastle goals. But the partnership between Suarez and Sturridge means it would be foolish to write them off.

“Daniel’s overall link-up play and movement has been brilliant all season, and Luis has been outstanding as well,” said Henderson. “The movement up front is so fluid and it makes our job so much easier in terms of giving them the ball.”

It also helps when you have a player with the qualities of Steven Gerrard in the side, and after skippering England to the World Cup finals four days earlier, the midfielder capped a fine week by scoring his 100th Premier League goal from the penalty spot in the closing stages of the first-half.

At the age of 33, Gerrard is supposed to be entering the twilight of his career, but after observing his team-mate at close quarters in training every day, Henderson is confident he will be around for a fair while yet.

“The way he is playing, he still has another ten years ahead of him,” he said. “He has so much football left because he is so fit. He has looked after his body and you can see the benefit of it now.

“I look around at him and still think ‘he must be my age’. He is up and down the pitch all day long. He is always there after training in the gym, he has looked after his body and you can see the benefit of it now.

“I see him every day and it is an absolute honour to be training and playing with him. I learn a lot of things from him every single day. Hopefully I will carry on picking things up because it helps my game.”

Gerrard’s penalty came as a result of the game’s pivotal incident, which saw Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa dismissed for a professional foul after he tugged back Suarez in the box.

Prior to that, Newcastle had threatened to build on the lead they secured when Yohan Cabaye arrowed a 30-yard strike past Simon Mignolet. Alan Pardew’s reshuffle saw academy product Paul Dummett appear as an emergency 22-year-old centre-half, who spent last season on loan at St Mirren, was the surprise scorer of his side’s second goal as he converted Cabaye’s free-kick from close range.

“He is a local lad and he has great quality,” said goalkeeper Tim Krul. “He has really come to the foreground since the summer and has been a real success story for us. He’s a very laid-back character and will take it all in his stride.”

With Yanga-Mbiwa now suspended, Dummett waits to see if he will play in Sunday’s derby at Sunderland.

“The next week will be crazy because it always is in the North East,” said Krul.

“That is why we needed this result, this response, this togetherness. It gives us a huge boost ahead of the weekend.”

NEWCASTLE 4-5-1: Krul 7; Debuchy 6, Williamson 6, Yanga-Mbwia 4, Santon 6; Gouffran 6, Cabaye 8 (Sa Ameobi 78,5), Tiote 9, Sissoko 7 (Dummett 45,7), Remy 6; Ben Arfa 6 (Anita 78,5).

Subs not used: Elliot, Cisse, Shola Ameobi, Obertan.

LIVERPOOL 3-5-2: Mignolet 5; Toure 7, Skrtel 6, Sakho 5 (Alberto 63,5); Johnson 5 (Sterling 83,5), Henderson 6, Gerrard 7, Cisshoko 6,Moses 5, Suarez 7, Sturridge 7.

Subs not used: Jones, Agger, Allen, Kelly, Flanagan.

Referee: Andre Marriner 5.