Venue: St. James Park Date: Saturday 1st November K/o: 12:45 BST Just days after overcoming Man City at the Etihad with a significantly weakened first team, Alan Pardew lines his Newcastle side up to face Liverpool at St. James' Park, knowing that he needs to keep building momentum. Liverpool meanwhile are stuttering by their own lofty expectations: after missing out narrowly on the Premier League trophy last year they're struggling to maintain a top four position, and serious questions are - prematurely - being asked.
Team News
Davide Santon, Siem De Jong and Curtis Good (remember him?) remain side-lined in the long or no-idea-at-all term, and Cheick Tiote is confirmed as out with the calf problem that has ruled him out since he was away with the Ivory Coast. Papiss Cisse, Steven Taylor and Mike Williamson were all back in training this week, and Taylor should be closest to selection of the lot. Taylor was only withdrawn from the City game as a precaution, and Cisse has suffered a reaction to the screws in his broken kneecap. Answers on a post-card as to the situation with Facundo Ferreyra: most likely status is UNFANCIED. Liverpool are still without Daniel Sturridge (calf), Mamadou Sakho (thigh), Jon Flanagan (knee) and sometime goalkeeper and former Newcastle whinger Jose Enrique, who has a bad knee. It's likely Rodgers will choose between Fabio Borini, Rickie Lambert and Mario Balotelli: hardly prolific, but this is Newcastle, so expect a brace from each.
Key Stats
Newcastle have received five red cards in their last four Premier League games against Liverpool. The teams haven't shared a goalless draw since February 1974, and the last three games in the league have resulted in 10 goals. Liverpool aren't scoring as many goals at the minute, but Newcastle have the fourth worst defence in the league, so expect something to happen. Having met 167 times, Liverpool have won 80 times to Newcastle's 47. The teams have drawn 40 times. This fixture has produced the most number of goals in Premier League history.
Last 3 Head-To-Heads
Liverpool 2 (Agger, Sturridge) Newcastle 1 (Skrtel og), Premier League, May 2014 Newcastle 2 (Cabaye, Dummett) Liverpool 2 (Gerrard, Sturridge), Premier League, October 2013 Newcastle 0 Liverpool 6 (Agger, Henderson 2, Sturridge 2, Borini), Premier League, April 2013 Now click Next for our full match preview and likely line-ups.
