Newcastle vs Liverpool preview

Posted Saturday, December 11, 2010 by skysports.com

All eyes will be on St James' Park this weekend when Alan Pardew takes charge of his first game against Liverpool in the Premier League.

The new Magpies manager will make his first appearance in the Toon dugout following his controversial appointment this week, having signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at the club.

Just when Newcastle were enjoying a period of rare stability under former boss Chris Hughton, owner Mike Ashley opted to wield the axe and secure Pardew on a long-term deal.

It is a decision that has sparked outrage from the majority of fans on Tyneside, and it remains to be seen what kind of reception the former Southampton, Charlton, West Ham and Reading coach receives on Saturday evening.

Games between these two sides are often high-scoring, frenetic affairs, even without additional drama off the pitch, and recent events mean it could be an even more enthralling encounter.

Liverpool seem to have turned the corner after a dreadful start under Roy Hodgson, and the men from Merseyside have won five of their last eight league games.

They strolled to a 3-0 victory over Aston Villa on Monday night but it is on the road where points have been more difficult to come by. Away from Anfield and Hodgson's side have lost five and managed just one win this term.

But the Reds have an excellent record against Newcastle and the last time they travelled to St James' Park two years ago they secured an emphatic 5-1 triumph.

Liverpool followed this up with a 3-0 victory at home in a game which saw Joey Barton sent off for a reckless challenge.

The Magpies are currently on a poor run and have gone five matches without a win since their remarkable result at Arsenal.

They will be hoping the arrival of a new tactician will provide them with a short-term boost, but there is no doubt that Pardew is not the peoples' choice for the long haul.

Team news

Pardew will hope for a major fitness boost as he prepares for his first game in charge.

Midfielder Barton missed last weekend's 3-1 defeat at West Brom with a slight groin injury which delayed his return from a three-match ban, while skipper Kevin Nolan is expected to be fit following the ankle problem which has sidelined him for the last two games.

Danny Guthrie was stretchered off at the Hawthorns with an ankle injury, but the damage is not as serious as was first feared and he could yet retain his place in the squad.

Steve Harper played a reserve team game in midweek on his return from shoulder surgery and is continuing his quest for full fitness, and Leon Best (ankle) is also on the comeback trail.

Fabricio Coloccini and Mike Williamson serve the final leg of their own three-match bans and Dan Gosling (knee), Ryan Taylor (ankle ligaments) Hatem Ben Arfa (double leg fracture) are still out.

Striker Fernando Torres returns to Liverpool's starting line-up for the trip.

The Spain international missed Monday's victory over Villa to be at the birth of his second child but comes straight back into the team, with Ryan Babel most likely to make way.

Captain Steven Gerrard is still a week away from making his comeback from a hamstring injury, so manager Hodgson is likely to retain all but one of the side who comfortably beat Villa.

Possible starting XIs:
Newcastle: Krul, Simpson, Campbell, S Taylor, Enrique, Routledge, Nolan, Tiote, Gutierrez, Carroll, Ameobi.

Liverpool: Reina, Johnson, Skrtel, Kyrgiakos, Konchesky, Lucas, Meireles, Rodriguez, Kuyt, Ngog, Torres.