Life without Luis Suarez may have left a void in Liverpool's side but Steven Gerrard proved against Newcastle once again why they remain highly dependent on him.
Before the Reds captain's introduction shortly before the hour mark, they appeared resigned to recording a third consecutive stalemate in yet another game they had dominated.
During the past four days, Kenny Dalglish has received visits from two of his former clubs, where he had varying degrees of success and it was fitting that history played its part again.
Some of the most memorable encounters between these sides have occurred beneath the glow of Anfield's floodlights, not least the famous battle of the 'entertainers' in 1996 and 1997.
And it was against Newcastle when Liverpool fought back in December 1998 when they earned maximum points despite falling behind - a feat they repeated again tonight.
Tonight was the first time they had scored more than two goals since the end of August as well as the club's first victory since conceding the first goal under Dalglish's second tenure.
On a Friday night in 1984, again against Newcastle, Liverpool recorded a score line in the FA Cup which Dalglish, who missed the game due to injury, would gratefully accept as the thrashing his side have promised yet failed to deliver on numerous occasions this season.
With lower league opposition set to visit Merseyside in seven days' time in the same competition, that hope may be renewed as it was not entirely forthcoming this evening.
The deadlock was broken when Haris Vuckic had planned to leave the field after the ball struck him in the face, only for Ryan Taylor to play on and see his cross find Yohan Cabaye before a ricochet from Daniel Agger helped it into the net past a wrong-footed Pepe Reina.
Taylor was cautioned after being continually terrorised by Stewart Downing, enjoying a second consecutive display of form, while Cabaye was fortunate to escape any punishment after a lunge at Jay Spearing managed to evaded Lee Probert's disciplinary gaze.
Dalglish's decision to bench Maxi Rodriguez will have appeared inconceivable for large sections of the home crowd given the injection of creativity his inclusion always generates.
But in his absence and that of Suarez, completing his a one-game suspension for gesticulating at Fulham fans, Craig Bellamy comfortably eased that particular burden.
If Scott Parker's coronation as FWA Player of the Year for 2011 was testiment to the revival of a player's career beyond his prime then Bellamy should be a shoo-in for next year's accolade.
The Welshman has demonstrated throughout this season the value of a second chance with his childhood heroes through a pursuit of every running ball with remarkable verve.
His equaliser from inside the area from a deflected Charlie Adam ball was another example of his potent threat while a free kick took his tally to five goals in four games against the Magpies.
Facing previous employers seems to have something of an invigorating effect on Bellamy but the well-travelled striker's enthusiasm for the game is tireless, even at the age of 32.
One year is all that separates Bellamy and Gerrard but both were key protagonists, with the latter delivering what could prove to be the catalyst to see Andy Carroll finally flourish.
His crosses to the striker, soon to make a year since his record-breaking switch, were flawless but he continued to struggle in his second outing against his home town club.
Gerrard's deliveries into the lofty hit man were always greeted with either a heavy touch, notably from close range with only Tim Krul to beat, and a staggering level of profligacy.
A crashed header against the crossbar illustrated the pressures Carroll continues to feel in spite of Dalglish's insistence that his record-breaking purchase does not suffer from a crisis of confidence.
There have been signs of potential from Carroll this season but his performances lack consistency. Admittedly he will never be able to justify his over-inflated £35million price tag but signs of optimism, and vindication of Dalglish's part, became apparent.
In defence Liverpool, holders of the Premier League's best defensive record, suffered a slight scare as Martin Skrtel's goal line clearance proved pivotal after Danny Simpson's cross saw Ba lift the ball over the advancing Reina and almost into an empty net.
However the night belonged to Gerrard as he signalled his return to old ways with another show-stopping performance which almost made light of his treatment table woes.
His goal required an assist from both Spearing and Jordan Henderson but it possessed a trademark surging run and the entrapment of a soon-to-be stranded goalkeeper in Krul.
Resisting temptation to thrust Gerrard back into the spotlight after his cameo against Blackburn may have proven costly for Dalglish in this battle of what could be the two key also-rans in the pursuit of Champions League qualification this season.
But the veteran midfielder, a continual talisman for his club in the past, thrives on the reliance unwittingly placed upon him by his team mates and if can remain free of injury, after a medical annus horribilis, Liverpool could even steal that vital top four finish.
LIVERPOOL (4-4-2): Reina; Johnson, Skrtel, Agger, Enrique; Henderson, Adam (Gerrard 59), Spearing, Downing; Carroll, Bellamy (Kuyt 74). Subs (not used): Doni, Maxi, Carragher, Shelvey, Kelly.
NEWCASTLE (4-2-3-1): Krul; Simpson, Williamson, Coloccini, R Taylor (Santon 46); Tiote, Obertan (Sammy Ameobi 85); Cabaye, Vuckic (Ben Arfa 65), Gutierrez; Ba. Subs (not used): Elliot, Perch, Best, Shola Ameobi.
Goals: Agger OG (25), Bellamy (29, 67), Gerrard (78)
Booked: Gutierrez, R Taylor,
Attendance: 44,372
Referee: Lee Probert (Wiltshire)
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PEDRO BISONG, NIGERIA around 4 months, 3 weeks ago