EPL: Newcastle 0-3 Liverpool (24.11.07)

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Liverpool travel to St James' Park to take on Newcastle in Saturday's lunchtime Premier League kick-off for what is always an entertaining fixture.

Few can forget the epic 4-3 Anfield battles of the past, but the North East meetings tend to be equally enthralling and the weekend's clash promises to live up to the billing.

Newcastle will be keen to put their last home Premier League outing - where they were humbled 4-1 by Portsmouth - behind them, while Liverpool will be looking to continue their unbeaten domestic campaign by avenging last season's 2-1 defeat at St James'.

The Magpies, who have recorded one point from a possible nine, have been heavily hit by injuries and are set to be without a number of first-team regulars.

Boost

St James' Park manager Sam Allardyce, who recently distanced himself from the vacant England manager's job, will be without star striker Michael Owen and Steven Taylor.

Owen will be unable to face his former team-mates after sustaining a thigh injury on international duty, while Taylor aggravated a back problem during England Under 21s' 1-1 draw with Portugal on Tuesday.

Newcastle are also without Abdoulaye Faye, Stephen Carr, Claudio Cacapa and Celestine Babayaro who are all on the long-term absentees list, however Nicky Butt is expected to start after serving a recent suspension.

Allardyce, though, has been boosted by the return to fitness of Shay Given, while Damien Duff is back in full training after seven months on the sidelines with a foot injury.

Impress

Liverpool boss Rafa Benitez, who has hinted he may be interested in the England job, is expected to name Fernando Torres in his first XI following the Spanish striker's recovery from an adductor muscle injury.

Torres, who scored from the substitutes' bench in Liverpool's last league outing against Fulham, has not started a game for the Reds since the 1-1 draw with Arsenal in October.

Benitez could also name defender Daniel Agger in his starting side for the first time since the middle of September.

The centre-back has been out of action with a broken metatarsal but he is now fit to return and could replace Sami Hyypia, although the Dane is more likely to start from the bench.

Xabi Alonso has still not recovered from a foot injury, but Harry Kewell is pushing for a start after a series of impressive substitute displays.

Source: Skysports

[NJ10]

That was as well as we've played in a very long time. From the first 5 minutes of that game i had no doubt we would win the game. We just passed the ball so much better and looked like we would score every time we went forward. Kewell, Gerrard & Torres were linking up very nicely. Great to see Kewell back fit and showing some good form. As for the other two, well they are vital to us, Gerrard on that kind of form is unstoppable, and Torres is Michael Owen PLUS. Has the pace of Owen, but is a better footballer all round. He should have had a hat trick yesterday but he was always threatening, which is a nice contrast from the days of Baros, Cisse & Morientes.

Newcastle were piss poor of course, how the fuck Alan Smith was given their man of the match i will never know. Joey Barton was the only player for them, except Given & maybe the lad at the back Beye, who looked interested. But you cant take anything away from how well we played. Lucas slotted in great in centre mid, i think he and Mascherano could be a very good partnership, and it was great to see Babel coming on and showing his improved form, he took his goal superbly and looked sharp. Maybe better used on the right??

Great win, lets hope this power struggle gets sorted sharpish now.

[Mighty T.A.L.]

Now I want to see Gerrard, Lucas, Mascherano and Kewell on the midfield against Porto.