Newcastle v Liverpool: Team News / Match Thread

The Reds team in full: Reina, Finnan, Arbeloa, Carragher, Hyypia, Gerrard, Kewell, Sissoko, Lucas, Kuyt, Torres. Subs: Itandje, Riise, Crouch, Babel, Mascherano

Interesting selection, with only one known winger (Hazza) out there, is Gerrard being placed on the right, or are we seeing another Benitez special with Kuyt roaming over toward the wing?

And can Crouch do anything to get a place these days? Best player on the pitch in the widweek and he's still behind the mis-firing Kuyt.

I expect the team will line up like this

Reina

Finnan, Carra, Hyypia, Arbeloa

             Sissoko
        Lucas     Gerrard    Kewell
       Kuyt (free-ish role)
              Torres
       

Big question though? Is Rafa still managing us

Disappointed no return for Agger - but good to see Torres back in the starting 11.  Sissoko and Lucas though? I thought Rafa's recent spat with the owners was all to do with trying to sign Mascherano on a long term deal. 

If that's the case - why is he behind Lucas and Sissoko?

team will look like this:

                    REINA
FINNAN  CARRA  SAMI    ARBELOA

STEVIE   LUCAS  SISSOKO   KEWELL

              KUYT
                         TORRES

Facts

The Reds have scored 52 Premier League goals against Newcastle. They have not netted more against any other club.

The Magpies have scored as many Premier League goals as the Merseysiders (19), but have conceded three times as many (18 to six).

Highest achievable after Saturday's matches: 3rd
Lowest could fall: 7th

Averaging two points per game (24 in 12). It's their best start since 30 points were accrued to this stage in 2002-03 when they finished fifth. However a higher finish has been attained in three of the four subsequent seasons, after inferior starts.

Boasting the strongest away form in this league with 14 of their 24 points gained on the road, including victories at Aston Villa, Sunderland, Wigan and Everton.

Lost the lead four times in Premier League matches this season, and dropped six points from leading positions, drawing home to Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal.

Both Momo and Kuyt are making their 50th start for the reds.

Thick geordie bas**rds booing every Stevie G touch.

that's it Stevie G save the best for LPFC   

1-0

what a beauty!!
1-0 Gerrard!!

sissoko, has tripped over the ball and given away posesson a few times already, I really like the guy, but how long does your confidence have to be down before you get "rotated"..?

Great goal.  Stick that in your pipes you boo boys.

sissoko, has tripped over the ball and given away posesson a few times already, I really like the guy, but how long does your confidence have to be down before you get "rotated"..?

Especially when you have Mascherano on the bench....

has anyone on earth still got faith in Sissoko?.....game has now been turned upside down, Newcastle are getting in a few chances, applying alot of pressure

Nope....10 mill to Juventus please.

Someone must tell rafa to attack the wings, 5 defenders aren't easy to split

Torres hits the bar, after he is one on one with given 30 yards out

Should have been 2-0.  Really really should have been.

3 points, por favor.

Fat sam has gone for his half-time fry-up to keep his chlosteral levels up!

Doesn't feel like we are winning, they seem like they will score, which means we need a goal, Crouch, Babel and Mascherano should make their appearances in the second half

Yeah should of been KK.

Handball & a sending off too, he still used his arm to block a certain goalscoring op.

It's a dead silence at St James' Park after Gerrard rammed one down their throats.  Nice one Stevie.

It wasn't the bar, but the post that Torres hit.

Controversy over whether or not Given handballed outside the area when he rushed out to c lose Fernando down when the striker was 1 on 1, but it looks like it hit the very upper arm.

Gerrard's strike was a beauty, no doubt about it. Serves the geordies right for booing  him.

Sissoko looks piss poor. As Anfield Warrior mentioned, he's tripped over the ball, given it away, made wrong passes and only made one saving tackle. Mascherano could do a million times better. If Juve really want him for 10 million, I'd bite their hand off.

KK's right, should be 2-0, though we haven't actually made that many chances. Anything other than a win will be severly dissappointing.

Should have been 2-0.  Really really should have been.

3 points, por favor.

Most defo. We look like the homeside, but we will need that second goal me thinks. Sissoko recovered from a bad start but Ive been a bit disapointed with some of Lucas's touches. But what a strike from Stevie G ha ha ha right back in your face you bunch off booing jordy tossers I Luv it.

Mascherano on for Momo for me second half.  I really really worry about the guy.  Maybe we should have sold him when we had our chance.  He's looking Championship material at the moment - not Premiership.

I'd keep Masch nice and fresh for Porto.

How's Kewell looking?

How's Kewell looking?

Looking like he needs to get himself back on the left side.

I agree with keeping Masch fresh for Porto.  So get Babel on for Sissoko.