Away days: It's been a while...

Thanks to the irritant that is the international break, club football has been on hold for the past fortnight. But on Saturday it made a welcome return into all our lives, albeit a little too early for the away-day Reds.

With the alarm set for 6.30 am, just getting up and being on time for departure was an achievement in itself as the unwelcome sight of wind-swept rain greeted my eyes. It's at this stage of the season when the weather takes a turn for the worse, and the early days of shorts and thin layers are a distant memory as we head towards the winter months and the cold terraces that await.

Fortunately the rain soon died off once we arrived on Tyneside, and thoughts turned to how the returning duo of Glen Johnson and Aly Cissokho would fare in what would be a tough encounter regardless of what happened the last time we were in Toon. For all of their recent shortcomings, Newcastle have an array of talent that could cause the red men all kinds of problems which was a concern of mine before kick-off.

But of even bigger concern, was the challenge facing the travelling contingent in order to get to their seats. At St James' Park, the away fans are placed high up in the gods of the Leazes Stand which meant having to overcome what appeared to be a never-ending set of staircases. Legend has it that many have failed to conquer Mount Leazes and turned back to the confines of the local pubs in defeat.

Despite the strong possibility of being struck down by vertigo, the view from the away end gives you the impression that you're watching a real-life game of Football Manager and left many people around me on Saturday struggling to make out who was actually playing down below. As the game got underway, the Geordies were in full voice but even though the atmosphere appeared flat at times, the 3,000 travelling fans gave them a run for their money throughout the 90 minutes.

After all, you could be forgiven for the subdued volume being down to the early start placed upon those in attendance but the opening goal from the home side didn't help matters.

The on-rushing Yohan Cabaye was afforded time and space to execute a brilliant shot that I felt Simon Mignolet was powerless to prevent. But as the half drew to a close we were offered a lifeline by the carelessness of Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa, who fouled Luis Suarez in the box.

After a red card was brandished and the dust settled from the Magpies' protests, up stepped Steven Gerrard to claim his 100^th league goal and another milestone in a decorated career for his boyhood club.

Ever since he danced and drove through a hapless Sheffield Wednesday defence to finish with aplomb and claim his first league goal, there have been countless pile-drivers and crucial goals that will forever live in the memory of any Red.

For every net-busting 30 yard free-kicks against the likes of Newcastle and Aston Villa, see his calmly despatched penalty at Old Trafford to help his side on their way to a 4-1 win. Or how about a last minute effort against Middlesbrough or Derby where he has taken the game by the scruff of the neck, all in the name of three precious points.

While Gerrard may have been hoping his landmark goal would lead to victory as he strolled off at half-time, Liverpool failed to capitalise on their one-man advantage. When Alan Pardew's side regained the lead mid-way through the second half, panic set in all around as the fear of succumbing to our second defeat of the season became a distinct possibility.

But to the rescue came Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, who combined for the latter to pull Liverpool level again and renew hope that we would yet snatch victory in the time that remained. I must say whenever an equalising goal is scored in such circumstances the collective release of anger and frustration, tinged with euphoria, always brings about a renewed sense of hope and that no matter what the situation, we will go on to claim victory.

Alas that didn't happen, but a point earned when not at your best is a result that can't be scoffed at, and I'm sure any Red who looks at the league table will be satisfied to see where we are, even if we now lie a place lower and two points behind leaders Arsenal.

After all, we've picked up the ability to grind out results and the thought of what we are capable of when performing at 100 per cent capacity is one to savour. Next stop the Emirates...

Follow the author on Twitter @JoelRichards91.