Michael Foster

Early news from nufc.com

We return to Premiership action on next Saturday when Rafa Benitez brings his Liverpool side to Tyneside for a 12.45pm start.

The game is SOLD OUT and live in the UK on Skysports

NUFC: To follow....the latest injury is Steven Taylor, who has returned from U21 duty with a back problem.

In his absence, Rozehnal and Beye would presumably start in the centre and at right back respectively, with any problem for either of them seeing David Edgar appear as defensive cover.

Butt is available after suspension while Given has made a successful return from injury with the Republic of Ireland.

Owen joins Faye on the sidelines, along with long-term absentee Ramage and Babayaro - who has now reported that he has a bad back.

Duff and Carr are on the way back but lack match fitness, while Ameobi will return to the bench assuming we go with a front pairing of Viduka and Martins.

LFC: To follow...the Reds expect to welcome back Daniel Agger from injury, but Xabi Alonso has suffered a setback in his comeback and is thought unlikely to feature.

Torres has also reported an abductor strain injury, but this is widely expected to have cleared up by Saturday.

Ref: Alan Wiley - first time in charge of a Newcastle game this season, this Staffordshire official last presided over a Liverpool game in September, when Derby were crushed 6-0 at Anfield.

NUFC vs Liverpool @ SJP - Premiership Years
2006/07: Won 2-1 Martins, Solano (pen)
2005/06: Lost 1-3 Ameobi
2004/05: Won 1-0 Robert
2003/04: Drew 1-1 Shearer (pen)
2002/03: Won 1-0 Robert
2001/02: Lost 0-2 no scorer
2000/01: Won 2-1 Solano, Dyer
1999/00: Drew 2-2 Shearer, Ferguson
1998/99: Lost 1-4 Guivarc'h
1997/98: Lost 0-2 (LC)
1997/98: Lost 1-2 Watson
1996/97: Drew 1-1 Shearer
1995/96: Won 2-1 Ferdinand, Watson
1994/95: Drew 1-1 Lee
1993/94: Won 3-0 Cole 3

Our 156th game against Liverpool makes them one of our most frequent opponents in league and cup. Only Arsenal (160) and Manchester City (158) lie ahead.

Neighbours Everton follow on 153, then Aston Villa (146), Manchester United (144), Chelsea (141), Spurs (138), mackems (138) and Blackburn (131) make up the top ten.

UK TV: Skysports

Overseas TV: To follow...

Overseas Mag gatherings:

Melbourne Mags: Charles Dickens Tavern, 290 Collins St.
Sydney Mags: Cheers Bar, 561 George St.

---------------------

Not looking forward to this, were going to get raped

----------Given-------

Beye----Roz----Cacapa----Enrique

Milner----Butt---Barton---N'Zogbia

-------Martins----Viduka

Is our likely line up, im going to go NUFC 1-3 Liverpool

JK Galgreefe

after an international break, away from home, an early kick off, and we're on sky as well. don't see how we can possibly win this.

Big Geordie

I don't feel too confident about this one either. Our side is too unsettled/in a state of flux at the moment. The result will depend upon whether Benitez actually wants to try and win the game, or settle for a draw.

I just hope for a good performance and that we actually try to play some football for once, with players in their correct positions.

atvkwkad

draw.

Allardyce to moan a bit, Benitez to skirt around any issues than arise and a cracking atmosphere.

Michael Foster

You reckon my team selection will be about right BG

Big Geordie

Yeah - I reckon so. I might swap Barton for Emre though.

johnsoncarmichael

lol sponsored by

Moreclaw

What I think we'll play:

Reina

Finnan
Agger
Carragher
Arbeloa

Benayoun
Gerrard
Sissoko
Riise

Torres
Crouch

TBH i'd prefer anyone to Sissoko but Masch has been away on international duty, long flights involved etc and Sissoko hasn't played for ages, so I think he'll be back. Agger should return while Torres is almost a certainty to start.

I'm strangely confident.

Lubricated Crisp Packet

Gerrard's form will pick up now that he doesn't have to wear that England shirt. Gerrard brace and judging by Newcastle's recent performances, a total massacre.

Big Geordie

Every right to be, if I'm honest. We seem to be an easy touch at the moment, for whatever reason - be it injuries, taking time for new players to settle in, manager fannying about with the tactics. I'll be extremely surprised if we get a win - a draw is the best we can hope for.