Newcastle United host Liverpool at St James’ Park hoping to avenge last season’s defeats - and claim their second win of the new Premier League campaign.
Although the Magpies piped the Reds to Champions League qualification last term, Jurgen Klopp’s side were the only team to do the double over United. That, coupled with the renewed rivalry between the two clubs, means there is more than just three points on the line.
“These games are iconic, really, throughout the Premier League, the Newcastle-Liverpool battles.” said Newcastle head coach Eddie Howe. “Last year we were disappointed in the two defeats for us. The one at Anfield was a difficult night - the last minute of that game has been replayed in my mind many times.
“The game at home was also painful in a different way, probably more painful for Nick Pope in what happened for him, missing the (Carabao) cup final. It was a day where we didn’t start very well but I thought we played very well with ten men against 11.”
Plenty has changed since the two sides last met in February, not least personnel. Newcastle have added Sandro Tonali, Harvey Barnes, Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall, while Liverpool have recruited a new-look midfield in Dominik Szoboszlai, Alexis Mac Allister and Wataru Endo.
“There’s slight tweaks (in Liverpool’s set-up) I’d say - I don’t think the main principles have changed,” Howe added. “They’re still very, very good at what they have been historically good at for the last four or five years.
“(They’re a) very difficult team to play against, but they are building a new team, you would say, with slightly different characteristics in midfield. They’re an elite team with an elite manager, they’re very, very good and they’re going to come back strong, for sure.
“We know this is a really good early test for us, following on from Manchester City and Aston Villa.”
Howe is set to have Joelinton available, despite the Brazilian limping off against City last week. Joe Willock and Emil Krafth remain sidelined and Javier Manquillo is a doubt.
1. GK: Nick Pope
Pope was sent off in the previous meeting between the two clubs and has kept just two Premier League clean sheets since.
2. RB: Kieran Trippier
Will face another difficult test - likely to be Luis Diaz - having coped well against Jack Grealish last week.
3. CB: Fabian Schar
The Swiss international has been one of Howe’s regular picks since he was appointed in November 2021.
4. CB: Sven Botman
Botman did well to limit Erling Haaland’s impact last week.