Newcastle United owners' behind the scenes reaction to loss of form ahead of Liverpool clash

Eddie Howe has revealed he is "always communicating" with Newcastle United owners as the club looks to end a run of disappointing results.

The Magpies have lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions, exiting both the Carabao Cup and Champions League, and dropping to ninth in the Premier League table.

While there has been some concern among the fanbase at the dip in form, the message behind the scenes from the likes of Amanda Staveley and Mehrdad Ghodoussi has remained consistent.

Asked if he'd spoken to the owners recently, Howe said: “Always communicating with them, that’s no different whether we win, lose or draw so those communications are always there and everybody is working as a team."

Rather than panic, Howe - who guided the club to Champions League qualification in May 12 months after battling relegation - has called for Newcastle to show their inner strength.

He added: "There isn't a time when you don't have to stick together. The best clubs, the best teams, do have that inner strength and belief in each other and team spirit that they can ride difficult moments and they can survive the successes because both are challenging.

"I've got no issues with the players at all. We acknowledge we need to improve and that's what we'll endeavour to do."

Howe has attracted some criticism in recent weeks, particularly after the 3-1 home loss to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.

He takes his Newcastle side to Liverpool on New Year's Day before facing bitter rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup. League matches against Manchester City and Aston Villa then follow.

"I don't look at it like I'm in the spotlight now," Howe said. "I'm always in the spotlight and criticism is part of this job. It goes hand in hand with it. You say I haven't been criticised, but it just goes with the territory.

"I've learned to accept and understand that and no disrespect, but to blank it out and make sure I help the players. That hasn't changed for me."

"It’s been a difficult period," he added." December was always going to be really tough for us. We were well aware going into the month how important it was going to be. Obviously we’ve gone out of two competitions that we were determined to do well in so the players have had to respond to some difficult moments and I think that’s been a contributing factor in the last two results, and they’ve probably been the ones that have hurt us the most. Our performances haven’t been where we want them to be.

"I think this is a time where you have to be really strong, stand up and be counted and respond. For me, it’s a brilliant month [January] and a great opportunity for us to fight back and show our qualities.