the magpies slipped to a fifth successive barclays premier league defeat at liverpool on monday , a result that did little to ease fears they could yet be sucked into relegation trouble .
newcastle remain in the relative safety of 13th place with 35 points but the sides below them have been eating into their cushion .
they are nine points above the relegation zone but with some awkward-looking games in their run-in , including this weekend 's home clash with tottenham and matches against fellow battlers leicester , west brom and qpr .