GRAEME SOUNESS last night urged his struggling Newcastle United stars to pull together to help the Magpies emerge from a slump that is threatening to lead to a relegation battle.

Newcastle are only seven points above the bottom three ahead of the Festive fixtures and are desperately seeking a Premiership victory - having last tasted success at Selhurst Park on November 1.

In stark contrast Liverpool's 3-1 win at Anfield yesterday has put the Reds to within six points of the top four.

Injuries, including Alan Shearer's absence, have hampered the club's progress but the Newcastle boss is in no mood for making excuses.

"We find ourselves in a difficult position but we have to stand up and be counted," said Souness, whose next two games are Blackburn and Arsenal.

"We are under no illusions about what is expected of us at Newcastle. We have to see what we are made of. We have a couple of tough games now and we have to get through this.

"We have all spoken in the dressing room and it wasn't a shouting match, it wasn't a screaming match. It was too civilised for my liking and I want to hear more."

A leaky defence allowed Liverpool's Milan Baros and Neil Mellor too much space to score and Newcastle's Titus Bramble headed past his own goalkeeper, Shay Given.

And Souness, with a patched up backline, blamed errors for yesterday's defeat.

"We made a decent start it was quite even and then we scored a good goal. But we conceded two goals soon after," he said.

"The first goal was very disappointing because it was an own goal. It happened too easily.

"But Liverpool will be looking at their third thinking it's a good goal. But I don't think you see many in the Premiership like that - where a goal is scored by the ball going through your two centre backs. It was far too easy."

Lee Bowyer was red carded for his second bookable offence when he lunged into Florent Sinama-Pongolle.

Souness said: "The sending off was reckless and wild. I can't have any complaints about it."

Newcastle had to make a late change to the starting line-up when Craig Bellamy felt pain in his back and Patrick Kluivert stepped in.

And Souness is hoping to have both the Welshman and Shearer back for the Boxing Day trip to Ewood Park.

"Every time Craig tried to pass the ball in the warm-up he said he couldn't do it," said Souness. "Craig will be OK. Alan is desperate to be back and we are desperate to have him back."

The mounting pressure on Souness' shoulder to turn things around led to a call from club skipper Shearer to publically back the Scot's reign.

Shearer, missing through injury once again at Anfield yesterday, believes the current incumbent of the St James' Park hot-seat should not be criticised until he is able to put his touch on the Newcastle squad.

Having taken over in September, Souness will only be given an opportunity to strengthen his playing staff when the transfer window opens in January.

And Shearer said: "The manager should be judged when he has his own team and that might not be until June because a lot of top players are playing in the Champions League.''

But Shearer understands why chairman Freddy Shepherd has spoken of his determination to bring silverware to Newcastle sooner rather than later.

"I understand the chairman's comments because he has been saying that for a long, long time. And, as much as I respect the previous managers here, Newcastle haven't won anything for a long time.

"Graeme has a pedigree of winning trophies and I hope he will be given the time because of that.

"He has won things as players and more importantly as a manager. Given time, which I hope he will be given, and money, which I know he will be given, he can bring silverware to this club. Everyone wants success here. But only three or four clubs can be successful every season.

"I'm not urging anyone to do anything, all I know is that the chairman and board have supported every manager here and Graeme Souness will not be treated any differently. I'm sure he will get his fair share of money."

Souness has already asked Shearer to retract his decision to retire in May and the former England striker said: "My intention is the same as it was at the start of the season and that's to retire."

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