Newcastle host Liverpool today in a classic Premier League fixture that has a history of producing plenty of fireworks. Liverpool have scored more Premier League goals (88) against Newcastle than against any other club, included in those fixtures were two memorable 4-3 games in the mid-nineties.
The fixture has produced 52 goals across the last 16 encounters – something that Newcastle manager Rafa Benitez will be well aware of having been in charge of Liverpool for many of those meetings.
Benitez won three major trophies as Liverpool boss while current manager Jurgen Klopp will be aware that they’ve only picked up one trophy since Benitez’s departure.
Liverpool have only won one of their last six games in all competitions since they hammered Arsenal 4-0 at Anfield while the Toon broke their run of three straight wins last weekend with defeat at Brighton.
Liverpool forward Sadio Mane is set to start after returning from a domestic suspension. Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum could face his former club at the expense of Emre Can after an indifferent performance in the Champions League in midweek.
Midfielder Adam Lallana (thigh) is running outside again but is still several weeks from a comeback while right-back Nathaniel Clyne is also recovering well from a back injury.
Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is available after suspension. The Serbia international has missed the last three games after being found guilty – on video evidence – of violent conduct during the 3-0 victory over West Ham.
