Newcastle Utd 0 Liverpool 3:Rafael Benitez wasted little time in making his fight with Tom Hicks and George Gillett public after his team handed him the perfect platform at Newcastle.

Rarely can a side even with Liverpool's rich tradition have enjoyed such a comfortable trip away from home as Newcastle imploded in spectacular style once again to gift them three points.

However, events on the field were overshadowed by the off-the-pitch battle in which Benitez has been engaged since learning his plans for rebuilding in January had been questioned by the club's owners.

Benitez headed for Tyneside at loggerheads with Hicks and Gillett having been told in no uncertain terms to concentrate on coaching the team until the Americans arrive for discussions next month.

The Spaniard was clearly still bristling as he reflected on an eventful couple of days, and his conciliatory tone was laced with a stern defence of his autonomy. He said: "I have a really good squad, but I want to improve my squad for the future and not spend money. I didn't talk about money. It was the opposite, to bring money back - we have brought £26 million back this year.

"I am trying to do the best as a manager for my club to bring money back to spend on better players, and you can see the value of the squad. I think they will understand this. But they say now (chief executive) Rick Parry is in charge of signing and selling players at this moment, so okay, we will see."

Benitez revealed Hicks's response to his disquiet during the week came as a surprise after earlier talks had progressed without event, and the American's unequivocal order to confine himself to events on the field drew the battle lines. The manager said: "He has my plan and he was very pleased with my plan, so for me, it was surprise. I tried to explain to him, but it was a surprise. When I was talking to Mr Hicks and also to Mr Gillett, they were really, really happy and they were trying to improve everything, so it was a surprise to me that something had changed in the last two weeks. As a manager, you must try to manage your squad and prepare your team, your club, for the future. That means to sign players like (Andriy) Voronin, or to sign players like the two options we have at this moment.

"If we cannot do it now, okay, we will not do it now, but maybe later, it will be more expensive. I am the manager of the club. I am talking about the team and about the squad because it is my responsibility to do the best for my team.

"I am focusing on training and winning games for my supporters. The new owners, they want the best for the club, and me too."

The row has increased speculation over Benitez' future - bookmakers Ladbrokes have slashed the odds on his departure to 7 to 1 from 14 to 1 - although the word from Anfield yesterday was that a split is not imminent.

But his players stated his case eloquently at St James' Park on an afternoon when new recruits were simply not needed. So superior were Liverpool against a woeful Newcastle that had Fernando Torres claimed the match ball with a deserved hat-trick, the beleaguered Sam Allardyce could not have complained.

In the event, the Spaniard failed to find the back of the net, mercifully for the hosts, who were beaten by the time the clock ticked on to the 47th-minute.

The inspirational Steven Gerrard, booed at every touch by the home supporters to whom England's fortunes clearly still matter, thundered home a 28th-minute drive to start the ball rolling, and Dirk Kuyt's strike within seconds of the restart effectively sealed victory.

Substitute Ryan Babel made sure with a third on 66 minutes, but it was Gerrard's response to his midweek misery which so impressed his manager. Benitez said: "He has a very good mentality, he has a strong character and passion for this club, which is important in football. You saw his passion and his mentality - hopefully it will be the same in the next games."