Newcastle vs Liverpool: LIVE score, news and goal updates from St James’ Park

Newcastle vs Liverpool: Express Sport brings you LIVE score, news and goal updates from St James’ Park

NEWCASTLE 0-0 LIVERPOOL

1: We’re underway folks! This fixtures has thrown up some absolute classics in the past, fingers crossed it delivers again.

16:28: Jurgen Klopp is doing his usual routine. Staring at the Newcastle players while they are doing their exercises. Doesn’t look in the mood to be disappointed today.

TWITTER ROUND-UP

Matt: Shelvey and Merino midfield partnership is needed today, that extra spark in midfield going forward will help.

Darren: It’s about time Daniel Sturridge got a start. Come on mate show them what you can do!

Fents: Shelvey & Manquillo will play the games of their lives today, hopefully Coutinho & the boys are feeling potent. Should be a tough one.

16:25: As you might have expected, Newcastle boss Rafa Benitez has said that playing against his former side will be a special and emotional experience.

The Spaniard was in charge of the Merseyside club for six years from 2004 and guided them to their fifth Champions League title in his debut season.

After spells at Inter Milan, Chelsea, Napoli and Real Madrid, Benitez was brought in to save Newcastle from relegation in March last year.

He did not succeed but helped them back into the top flight immediately and faces his old side to whom he has not lost in two previous meetings.

“It’s a special game for me. It will be emotional, because I spent so many years there, and have so many good memories. My family still live in Liverpool, so it is my home,” Benitez told Newcastle’s website.

“I have a lot of positive, very good relationships with Liverpool fans, (including) the families connected to Hillsborough. There are a lot of connections, and it will be very emotional.”

16:20: Here’s today’s starting XI folks. Quite surprising to see Daniel Sturridge preferred to Roberto Firmino in attack.

Newcastle XI: Elliot, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo, Shelvey, Merino, Ritchie, Perez, Atsu, Joselu.

Subs: Murphy, Gayle, Diame, Hayden, Lejeune, Darlow, Jesus Gamez.

Liverpool XI: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Coutinho, Salah, Sturridge, Mane.

Subs: Karius, Milner, Firmino, Klavan, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Can, Solanke.

Referee: Craig Pawson.

16:15: Good afternoon folks, welcome to our LIVE coverage of Newcastle vs Liverpool from St James’ Park.

I’m sure Reds fans will have enjoyed what they just witnessed at Goodison Park with Burnley running out 1-0 winners against Everton, but can they bag a win of their own today?

It’s the final Premier League match before the international break ruins everything, so let’s savour what should be an absolute cracker!

NEWCASTLE TEAM NEWS

Newcastle striker Aleksandar Mitrovic is available after suspension for today’s Premier League clash with Liverpool.

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.

Florian Lejeune returns to contention after shaking off an ankle injury, but manager Rafael Benitez otherwise has no fresh injury concerns with only fellow defenders Paul Dummett (hamstring) and Massadio Haidara (knee) missing.

LIVERPOOL TEAM NEWS

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.

PROVISIONAL SQUADS

Newcastle squad: Elliot, Darlow, Woodman, Yedlin, Manquillo, Mbemba, Gamez, Lascelles, Clark, Lejeune, Hayden, Merino, Shelvey, Saivet, Ritchie, Atsu, Murphy, Aarons, Diame, Perez, Gayle, Joselu, Mitrovic.

Liverpool squad: Mignolet, Gomez, Lovren, Matip, Moreno, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Coutinho, Salah, Firmino, Mane, Karius, Alexander-Arnold, Klavan, Robertson, Milner, Grujic, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Sturridge, Solanke.

HISTORY 

Last season: No corresponding fixture

Last five league matches: Newcastle L W W W L; Liverpool W W L D W

Top scorers: Aleksandar Mitrovic & Jamaal Lascelles (Newcastle) 2; Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) 6