Spanish midfielder Xabi Alonso scored from before the halfway line to help Liverpool beat Newcastle United 2-0 in the Premiership on Wednesday. Alonso lobbed the ball in the 79th minute from his own half past advancing goalkeeper Steve Harper, who started his first league game in 17 months, replacing injured first-choice goalie Shay Given. The memorable effort sealed the victory after Dutchman Dirk Kuyt opened the score line in the 30th minute. Liverpool moved up to ninth spot on seven points while the losers dropped to 10th place with six. Kuyt put the hosts ahead when he cut ahead of his marker to convert a right-flank cross from Steve Finnan into the back of the net. It was Kuyt's first goal for the Reds since joining from Dutch side Feyenoord in the close-season. Alonso sealed the win with a trademark shot when he received the ball in the midfield, looked around for a team mate before deciding to launch an almost 65-meter missile. Stunned by the move, Harper tried to retreat but stumbled to let the ball pass over his head and settle into the net despite his desperate effort to palm it away while sprawling on the grass. Ironically, this was Alonso's first goal for Liverpool since scoring also from his own half against Luton in the FA Cup in January.
