Reaction: Newcastle 2-0 Liverpool

1. Skrtel diverts Wijnaldum cross into own net
2. Wijnaldum adds late second from Sissoko pass
3. Newcastle only in bottom three on goal difference
4. Klopp suffers second loss as Liverpool boss

Righto, that's enough from us for one day then. We shall see you all back here on Monday to wrap up the Premier League weekend. See you there!

FA Cup highlights

There was plenty of drama to be had in the FA Cup this afternoon, and a brilliant celebration to boot from the Whitehawk boys.

Missed out? Catch up on the highlights here.

'I hope people did something better with their Sunday'

Liverpool

Liverpool

PA

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp on Match of the Day: "I think we deserved a point maybe but not more because we didn’t play well enough.

"I like to play the dirty points too – it's no problem. If Alberto’s goal was given it was 1-1 then the game can change. Until then we didn’t play as well as we like to.

"I have to watch the game again. We were not really in the game. We were not aggressive enough or close enough. There were good moments for pressing but we didn't do it.

Asked about pundits talking up Liverpool's title credentials: "I’m sorry if someone is disappointed. Maybe someone is laughing at this. We’re not part of this discussion. I hope some people did something better on this Sunday than watching this game.

"We have to react and learn. I'm sure the lads will do it."

Get Involved

Tom Gardner: Those post-match comments from Klopp show how you lose with dignity. Classy guy. Mourinho would do well to take note.

Belete Eshetea: One day you're a title contender, the next you've no chance to finish in the top four. Welcome to the Premier League Mr. Klopp

The keystone

Georginio Wijnaldum has now been involved in 56% of Newcastle's Premier League goals this season (9/16), only Watford's Odion Ighalo (65%) has scored or assisted a higher share of his team’s goals.

Has the penny dropped?

Newcastle United

Newcastle United

Reuters

Newcastle boss Steve McClaren on Sky Sports: "You have to work and you have to work really hard – crawl back into the dressing room. We have to maintain that. We grew into the game, you could see our lack of confidence at the start. But I thought we deserved to win.

"The players care and there is desire – you saw that today. What we’ve been through they will learn from that.

"We said at half-time, even the supporters are gradually growing into the game.

"There’s always a plan, when you lose the plan goes wrong. We talked about the workrate, we kept compact and when you keep your discipline you get results.

"We’ve come to this position about three times when you think the penny has dropped. And again you’d like to say this is the beginning. For 24 hours we will enjoy it and get back to work."

So Nacho

Arsenal

Want to see Arsenal's left-back chipping a satsuma into his fridge? Sure you do:

'The harder you work the luckier you get'

Newcastle United

Newcastle manager Steve McClaren on Match of the Day:"It's absolutely huge, absolutely massive. Once or twice we've taken ourselves to the brink of crisis and clawed our way back and that's what we've done today.

"We worked hard, it is so tough to get a result in this league. We've crawled off the field, we've put in so much effort. That's what we need every week.

"The harder you work the luckier you get. Everything evens itself out and it's about time we had some decisions." 

Get Involved

How often do Liverpool, Man Utd, Man City and Chelsea not score on the same weekend?

Gary, Birmingham.

It's a yes and no from me... Yes, the Premier League is the best for entertainment, drama and competition between all teams (except for THAT Derby team...), but is it the best for quality? No. Poor defending appears to be a Premier League epidemic and that is the biggest difference between the top Premier League teams and Europe's elite.

Lee, Gloucester

Jurgen Klopp's charisma hasn't deserted him after a defeat. An engaging, entertaining set of interviews.

Steve McClaren says he needs his players to 'crawl back' into the changing rooms at the end of games. That's how much effort he needs from them.

'You need dirty points'

Reuters

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp: "With the situation Newcastle are in and the situation we are in, you have to say they deserved the win. I couldn't see that we should have won, we were not good enough today. I don't know why. I have to see it again and know more about it but it was hard work. It should not be this hard. We could do better. We should play much more football, our pressing was not good. We were not compact - there was a lot of things we did not do well."

On Moreno strike being ruled out for offside: "He [the linesman] would say that he should see it, it was pretty clear I think. Maybe we deserved a point, sometimes you need dirty points. But if one team deserved to win it was Newcastle. 

"A few days ago we were were brilliant, today we were no good. That's the way it can go."

'Sometimes you need a bit of luck'

Newcastle United

PA

Newcastle goalscorer Georginio Wijnaldum: “It’s a really big result because we’ve had a few poor weeks. We reacted well today. We played as a team. It was difficult for Liverpool to create chances. We learned from the last two weeks where the performance was not good.

"When you play at home you want the fans behind you and you must give them something back.

"Sometimes you need luck to score a goal. The first bit of luck was the ball staying at my feet. After that I shoot. He touched it - I still think it’s my goal because I’ve shot on goal.

"It’s always important and good if you win games because it will give you confidence. We must know we won’t win games easily. We must fight like we did today."

Get Involved

Mark Savile: Shame the linesman got Moreno's goal wrong but Liverpool were uninspiring. Shame since could have gained ground on top 4

Kyle: Brilliant win from Newcastle and a deserved one to for the team performance though we were lucky with Moreno's goal

Hassan: It's not a LFC policy to blame poor results because of injury or suspension, but to be honest we really miss Coutinho & Emre Can

Movin' on up?

Strong upwards movement from Bournemouth and now Newcastle this weekend. Even Villa got a point. 

BBC

'My goal!'

Georginio Wijnaldum is told that the first goal is an own goal.

"I don't think so," he says.

Yep. Yes it was pal...

Get Involved

Not saying that Klopp has made a mistake. But Sturridge and Origi on the bench? He'll learn.

Trev from Cheltenham

Such a lifeless display from Liverpool. If this was Rodgers he would be being battered.

David, London.

Tight at the bottom

They could do indeed Curtis.

That win lifts Newcastle up one place in the table but importantly it is above rivals Sunderland.

They have 13 points now, the same as Norwich and Bournemouth. 

Get involved

James Riches: If nothing else, this puts to bed the ridiculous notion that one good win can turn an average team into 'title contenders'

Curtis: Newcastle have a lot to be positive about, with favourable results next weekend, they could go above Chelsea.

FULL-TIME

All over! Jurgen Klopp advances down the touchline to give Steve McClaren a winning smile and handshake, it's a big night for Steve!

Reuters

Wonderfully taken, that second clinching goal. And deserved too. Newcastle were poor in the first half but have offered more than a tired-looking Liverpool today. 

GOAL - Newcastle 2-0 Liverpool

Brilliantly taken! What a great goal on the counter attack to wrap up a massive win for Newcastle.

Moussa Sissoko shakes off Alberto Moreno on the right and it's three-on-three. Sissoko gets his head up to play a cracking pass through, it' a foot race between Georginio Wijnaldum and Liverpool keeper Simon Mignolet. The Dutch midfielder wins it and clips over his head with a deft touch. 

Reuters

Martin Skrtel is going to run off his neck injury. In the crowd, a topless Geordie in a scarf delights those nearby with a celebratory jig. He must be absolutely freezing...

INJURY TIME

There are five minutes added on, and Martin Skrtel is down with a neck injury too. On come the medical staff, we could have more time to come yet.

Adam Lallana with a deep cross, well defended, corner, in, not away, back in for Dejan Lovren and his header IS ON TARGET!

An easy save for Rob Elliot but a save nonetheless. Into the last minutes...

Get Involved

It's a YES from me...

Maybe MOTD tonight should instead show one of the classic 4-3s from a time when these two teams were entertainers.

James, London

Joe Allen drives into the area, wins a corner and Dejan Lovren heads it over the top. The last Premier League game not to have a shot on target was Everton v Spurs on 9 May 2009. You have five minutes...

Is this to be Jurgen Klopp's second taste of defeat as Liverpool boss? It is arguably their worst showing. They have been underwhelming so far. But there's still time...

DISALLOWED GOAL

TIGHT CALL! Alberto Moreno is denied the goal of his life by the offside flag. James Milner pings a cross from right to left, the left-back arrives on it with a corking volley, clipped back across goal and into the top corner. He measured that to perfection but the flag was up - and he looked level to me.

AFP

No shots on target maybe but that's one of the tackles of the season as Paul Dummett lines up a belter of a sliding challenge to stop Nathaniel Clyne in his tracks. Liverpool seeing more of the ball but still Rob Elliot hasn't had a thing to do in the Newcastle goal. 

SUBSTITUTION

Liverpool look lifeless, perhaps that midweek win took it out of them? Daniel Sturridge curls a hopeful effort well off target before Divock Origi comes on for Jordon Ibe.

Great ball from Adam Lallana sends Daniel Sturridge into the area but his first-time shot is well off course. Jurgen Klopp applauds. 

Deadly from four yards

The prolific Martin Skrtel now has seven Premier League own goals - only Richard Dunne (10) has more (Jamie Carragher also has seven).  

AP

We still haven't had a shot on target as that was going wide apparently. St James' Park is rocking though, Newcastle above rivals Sunderland but still in the relegation zone as it stands.

Reuters

Steve Stone

Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Ayoze Perez pulled out to the back post which allowed Georginio Wijnaldum the space to get the shot in. It was definitely deflected."

AP

GOAL - Newcastle 1-0 Liverpool

There we go! The first real effort on goal leads to the opening strike! Moussa Sissoko flings in an early cross, Georginio Wijnaldum's first touch isn't the best and takes him wide but he recovers well to fire in a low shot which takes a hefty deflection off the thigh of Martin Skrtel and flies in.

That will go down as an own goal.

Getty Images

Steve Stone

Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge have completely changed this game, their pace to get in behind is making Newcastle drop deeper. This game is wide open."

SUBSTITUTION

Change for the hosts - Ayoze Perez on for Siem de Jong. The home crowd like that one.

Still no shots on target for either side. Jordon Ibe tries to get one away but he is closed down and Newcastle counter, Joe Allen slides in to win it back though. A real lack of class when it matters so far. 

Getty Images

Can Daniel Sturridge spark this Liverpool side back into life? They have offered nothing in the second half. 

Getty Images

SUBSTITUTIONS

Jurgen Klopp has seen quite enough. Christian Benteke and Roberto Firmino are off and on come Adam Lallana and Daniel Sturridge.

Lallana is clattered within seconds and Papiss Cisse goes in the book. 

Reuters

Time for a change?

Steve Stone

Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"If you are the Newcastle manager now are you thinking of bringing on Ayoze Perez as Siem de Jong tires?"

YELLOW CARD

Good stuff from you guys, keep it coming. On the pitch it's better too, much more zip and drive from the hosts, Liverpool looking sluggish. Vurnon Anita clashes with Joe Allen and is booked. 

Get Involved

It's hard to understand why people are complaining this year about the Premier league. Surely it's better that the same four teams aren't dominating year in year out?

Miles Johnson

I would rather have a more competitive and entertaining premier league than one or two super teams that dominate every season.

Josh in Sheffield

Re: Good Premier League games. There are good quality Premier League games most weekends, just not always involving the top/big teams.

Alex, London.

Much better from Newcastle since half-time. Liverpool have not showed up and Jurgen Klopp gives Roberto Firmino a piece of his mind after the Brazilian bottles a challenge. 

Reuters

Get Involved

Some excellent responses coming in to the debate posed just after the restart. Is the Premier League dull at the moment?

Ben Wright: I think the evidence the Premier League is getting worse, is how our teams are struggling in Europe more and more each season

Danyal: Top teams aren't worse, lower teams are better. How many star players did Stoke have 5 years ago, now they have Shaqiri etc #bbcfootball

Gary Kwok: PL boring? Unfair on some teams - already forgotten about @LFC 4-1 @MCFC. Brilliant match. #bbcfootball

Much better from the hosts as they craft a slick move down the right, Papiss Cisse to Moussa Sissoko, he gets to the line and cuts it back to Georginio Wijnaldum at the front post. Can he chip it? No. It's wide.

PA

Chancel Mbemba goes on a drive through the centre of the pitch but runs out of gas within sight of the Liverpool goal. Still we await an effort on target. 

Whose side are you on?

Francis Edwards: Premier League top teams are getting worse every year, while elsewhere teams are getting better, RIP English football success.

Giannina Caraceni: Worst part of #NEWLIV are the grumps who think it's cool to hate the Premier League using it as evidence the PL is dull

KICK-OFF

Game on!

Carlisle United, you have lifted my spirits. Here come the players back on to the field at St James' Park. Can they continue the good times?

A great touch

I showed you a picture earlier of Carlisle United's ground under heavy floodwater and their players have taken a stance.

They will help out anyone who needs them. Fantastic.

Get Involved

I'm getting the impression you aren't overly enamored with this match either...

Graham Green: Did Liverpool use up their weekly goal quota at Southampton on Wednesday? How can they not be ahead against woeful Newcastle?

Andy Gillick: Can't remember last time I watched a good Premier League game , so poor

Bret Ellis: Dreadfully boring match, every credible chance is squandered by Cisse and Liverpool seem utterly lost.

Shoooottt!!

This is the fourth Premier League game this season to not see a shot on target in the first half, and the third to involve Liverpool.  

And the fourth I have been on commentary duty for. Let's have some action!

HALF-TIME

Half-time. Newcastle started very shakily but improved as the half wore on. 

Reuters

CLOSE!

Cracking effort Jordon Ibe! He drifts in from the left flank, curls a rising shot from 24 yards out and it zips over the top. 

CLOSE!

Better from Newcastle, who are growing in stature here. Daryl Janmaat wins a corner, Papiss Cisse nods it on at the front post and Chancel Mbemba heads over the top! Decent opening.

PA

Reuters

Steve Stone

Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Liverpool look they thought they had to turn up and they would win. That doesn't happen in the Premier League."

Liverpool get the ball to Jordon Ibe on the left and he makes things happen, he cuts inside and finds Christian Benteke but he runs into danger. Liverpool then get a taste of their own medicine as Newcastle break really incisively. One pass slits Liverpool open and Papiss Cisse is one-on-one with Martin Skrtel, He just needs to get the ball onto his left foot and get a shot away - but he overruns it and the chance dies. 

Is that the start of a change in pace?

Reuters

Liverpool with more of the ball, but slightly more action in Liverpool's defensive third. Evenly poised. 

Opta

Some fans begin to stream to the exits to get a pie. pint or maybe a bovril given the current weather conditions. They aren't missing a lot. This game has yet to ignite.

CLOSE!

As the Stone says, Papiss Cisse comes to life! A cross finds him at the far post, he brings the ball down neatly on his thigh and then flashes a shot wide, right across goal. It wouldn't have counted as Cisse was pinged for pushing Nathaniel Clyne under the ball. Better though, and it gave the beleagured home fans something to cheer about.

Reuters

Steve Stone

Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Papiss Cisse has definitely pushed Nathaniel Clyne in the back."

Get Involved

David Ljunggren: It's extraordinary how Newcastle look as though they're beaten, even when they're not losing. There's no zip, no creativity

Mark Voisey: Liverpool need more movement up front. Sturridge would love to be playing against this Newcastle back line!

As I feared, our chances of a 1996-style thriller look slim to none this afternoon. A Newcastle player gets into the Liverpool penalty area for the first time but Siem de Jong misses his volley, handles the bouncing ball and then shins it out for a goal-kick.

Let's say he is rusty.

AFP/GETTY

The first audible signs of dissent are beginning to ring down from the steep stands. Jordon Ibe is the game's most impressive character thus far. He's giving Paul Dummett a hard day in the office.

Getty Images

Get Involved

Gegenpressing vs utterly depressing...

Will Binks

Steve Stone

Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Liverpool look confident at the moment, they are starting to get into the groove."

Hold it up!

Do Newcastle lack a key man in the number nine shirt?

CLOSE!

Got to be!

Ah, the first chance of the day is a golden one. Jordon Ibe wins a corner with a direct run down Liverpool's right, the delivery is not dealt with, Dejan Lovren nods it down and Christian Benteke gets there before Rob Elliot in the Newcastle goal. Any shot on target would score - but the Belgian lifts it over from five yards out!

Reuters

Perhaps in a bid to stymie that right-wing bias from Newcastle (not political, literal) the ever-versatile James Milner has moved over to the left as a defensive winger for Liverpool. He'll track his man all day long.

Neither side any closer to having a shot on goal. 

Reuters

Steve Stone

Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"If you look at it from Newcastle so far, it's all down this right-hand side. Moussa Sissoko is trying to occupy the spaces that Alberto Moreno keeps leaving." 

Opta

Is right-back Daryl Janmaat Newcastle's best attacker? He might just be. He paints a nice picture with Moussa Sissoko but it's all too intricate for my taste and it breaks down. Get it in!

Reuters

Steve Stone

Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Jurgen Klopp seems nice and relaxed and you can be when you're on a good run. But he seems to trust his players."

Reuters

Very steady start from both sides. After that first-minute flurry of corners from Liverpool there has been little to talk about. Jordon Ibe has had a few bursts from midfield. He can beat a man. 

Reuters

It feels like a long time since Papiss Cisse and Demba Ba were wreaking havoc in the Premier League doesn't it? Cisse scored against Palace last weekend but has never got near the form of his first few months in England.

He scored 13 Premier League goals in 14 appearances after arriving in January 2012. He has scored 23 since.

Steve Stone

Former Newcastle coach and England midfielder on BBC Radio 5 live

"Liverpool can play both ways. They can press no problem, but they can also let teams come on to them and are able to hit on the break."

Reuters

There are many things about coaching that still baffle me. For example, I note that the Reds have averaged 6.9km more and 84 sprints more per game under Jurgen Klopp than Brendan Rodgers in the top-flight this season.

Is that down simply to Klopp asking them to put in a bit more effort? Surely they were running at full tilt anyway? Bizarre.

Anyway, plenty of sprinting from the visitors already as Nathaniel Clyne carries the ball 60-odd yards to the edge of the Newcastle box but he can't get a shot away. 

Liverpool force three corners in the end, Newcastle looking shaky early on as Martin Skrtel has all sorts of time and space but his shot is blocked. It's the Liverpool fans stationed a mile above the pitch making all the noise so far. 

AFP/GETTY

KICK-OFF

'Enjoy the game!' bellows a slightly optimistic PA announcer. Liverpool win a corner inside 17 seconds.

FA Cup latest

Whitehawk have just scored a dramatic last-minute leveller in the FA Cup - capped by a fine celebration.

Follow the latest from the FA Cup.

Almost kick-off time in the Premier League as St James' Park slowly fills up. almost begrudgingly. We've all had times following our teams when it's been a chore to take your seat.

Reuters

LINE-UPS

Newcastle: Elliot, Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett, Anita, Colback, Sissoko, De Jong, Wijnaldum, Cisse. Subs: Gouffran, Perez, Thauvin, Sterry, Mbabu, Mitrovic, Darlow.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Milner, Lucas, Allen, Ibe, Benteke, Firmino. Subs: Toure, Henderson, Sturridge, Lallana, Origi, Bogdan, Randall.

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)

Missing in action

Getty Images

Daniel Sturridge is only on the bench this afternoon. Along with Divock Origi - who scored a hat-trick in midweek! 

Get Involved

Agreed, Chris. But Vincent Kompany and Sergio Aguero are not easy to keep fit...

It's way too early for title talk, as a realistic but optimistic Liverpool fan I think we've got to ensure we finish top 4 and anything else is a bonus. YNWA

James from Wales

If Man City can keep Kompany fit they should have enough about them to win the league.

Chris

Tune in

BBC Radio 5 Live

This afternoon's big game is live on BBC Radio 5 live and you can join Steve Stone with Alan Green, full commentary from 16:00 GMT. 

Benched

Ferdinand's worry for Chelsea

Saturday review

PA

It has been a season of surprises in the Premier League and Saturday did not disappoint.

The two pre-season favourites for the title - Manchester City and Chelsea - both lost to supposed lesser teams.

City, leaders going into this weekend, were outplayed by Stoke, who were led by the brilliant Xherdan Shaqiriin the 2-0 win.

And in the late match a goal fromBournemouth substitute Glenn Murrayhanded champions Chelsea their fifth league defeat in eight to leave them 14th in the Premier League.

Get Involved

JdeSatge: Big LFC fan, but this talk of titles is immensely frustrating. Look no further than one game ahead; learn from 13-14 and 08-09

Jay: Can't see anyone (incl. Liv) but Leicester winning the title. All other teams should just give up and focus on the next season

Christophe Talbotski: As a United fan it's concerning that,for the first time in 25 years, Liverpool are now better equipped than us to win the title

Bad anniversary

Newcastle United

A few pundits have predicted plenty of goals this afternoon - but it is unlikely to be a record-breaker.

Newcastle suffered their heaviest home defeat, going down 9-1 to fierce rivals Sunderland, on 5 December 1908 – 107 years ago today.

Amazingly, Newcastle actually won the league that season after winning nine of their next 10 games.

They came pretty close in the FA Cup too, losing to eventual winners Manchester United in the semi-finals. 

Team news

Newcastle make just one change, and despite their 5-1 thrashing at Crystal Palace last weekend, it is up front. Siem de Jong makes his first Premier League start of the season as he replaces Ayoze Perez. 

Opta

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has plenty of players at his disposal, and shuffles the pack following their 6-1 win over Southampton in the Capital One Cup. Out go goalscorers Daniel Sturridge and Divock Origi to be replaced by Roberto Firmino and Christian Benteke. James Milner and Jordon Ibe are in for Adam Lallana and the suspended Emre Can. 

Opta

Get Involved

"If Liverpool recruit well in January and sort out their home form, there's no reason why they can't challenge for the title given Chelsea's fall from grace, Arsenal's injury crisis and Man City's inconsistency. Newcastle on the other hand look sure for the drop - the poor culture Mike Ashley's bred at the club looks set to finally catch up with them."

Finbarr

"I'm a Man City fan and Liverpool might just win the title - Arsenal inconsistent, Chelsea no chance, Leicester won't keep this up as soon as Vardy or Mahrez get injured, Man United can't score and City can't do it on a (windy) night in Stoke yet. It'll be close though."

Tom, Holmes Chapel

Liverpool are title challengers

Are Liverpool contenders? Steve McClaren thinks so.

"They are title contenders, in terms of the form they are in and the way they are going," said McClaren.

Klopp took over from Brendan Rodgers in early October and Liverpool drew his first three games in charge.

But the German has improved his side's fortunes, suffering just one defeat, which came against Crystal Palace, and leading Liverpool to the semi-finals of the League Cup.

Reuters

"Everyone comes into a club in different situations," said McClaren, whose side are second-from-bottom of the Premier League.

"I don't think anyone would dispute what Brendan had done. He had brought in some very talented players, and you have seen that Jurgen has taken that on."

Are Liverpool title contenders??

Reuters

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has laughed off suggestions that his rejuvenated side can challenge for the Premier League title. But former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend reckons it is not beyond the realms of possibility.

“You’ve only got to look at the league table to understand it is wide open," he told 5 live Sport on Friday.

"There is not one team, I think, who is playing at such a level that they will walk away with the title. Liverpool are in the mix. 

"They are making progress, looking good under Jurgen Klopp, They are clearly going in the right direction.”

BreakingDe Jong in for Magpies

Newcastle United

Newcastle keep the same back four who were witness to a horrorshow at Selhurst Park last weekend. The only change sees former Ajax man Siem de Jong handed a rare start. 

BreakingNo Sturridge for Liverpool

Liverpool

Pat Nevin won't be happy - Daniel Sturridge is not playing for Liverpool.

Also out from the team who thrashed Southampton are Adam Lallana, Emre Can and Divock Origi, Six changes in all. 

Get Involved

Elliot Aiston: If Newcastle were a Sunday league team they would have folded weeks ago, so 18th is their best bet

Mark Taylor: Five years ago McClaren was winning the title in Holland against all odds. He has clearly got some skill to achieve that

'Pros hate being called injury-prone'

We will have team news from St James' soon.

Should Daniel Sturridge start up front for Liverpool today? Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin reckons so.

“If fit, 100%. He is the best England striker around but has had a really bad run with injuries,” he told 5 live Sport on Friday.

“Two terrible things happen when you’re a player - one is being called a ‘veteran’ and the other is being called ‘injury-prone’. Sturridge is being called injury-prone. Now he needs an injury-free run of six months.”

'Newcastle players must take responsibility'

Newcastle’s players have to take full responsibility for their lowly Premier League position, says former Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Townsend.

“They’ve got good components but they lack a spirit,” Townsend told 5 live Sport on Friday.

“They lack, not confidence, but a moral fibre. When you haven’t got that then you’re in the bottom three. They go under far too easy when they go behind in matches. Newcastle look like it is every man for themselves.”

Reuters

FA Cup latest

Carlisle head into the break leading 2-0 at Welling United, but back home their Brunton Park ground has been left in a right old state by Storm Desmond.

That's going to take a lot of sorting out.

Follow the second-halves of today's FA Cup fare here.

Another long day for Newcastle?

Steve Bower

BBC football commentator at St James' Park

"The contrast in fortunes couldn't be greater between these two teams. What Steve McClaren would currently give for a slice of Jurgen Klopp's apparent magic.

"What Newcastle's players lack - and Liverpool's players have regained in abundance - is belief. The body language of those in black and white looks like they don't believe they can escape their current predicament.

"They must have watched Liverpool's midweek League Cup win at Southampton from behind the sofa, as Klopp's run since taking charge was emphatically extended to only one defeat in 11 games.

"Liverpool will know they can't take their foot off the accelerator at St James' Park, but with the firepower at their disposal it could be yet another long day for McClaren and Newcastle."

Get Involved

Island Strife: Liverpool can go top four, but if this run they're on continues,with all the inconsistency around, you just never know...

RJH: NUFC's position will depend on Xmas buys. We need experienced defenders and leaders like Kevin Nolan. If lucky, 13th. If not, 20th.

Stuart Buck: I can see them finishing top and bottom. Liverpool full of Klopptimism, Newcastle with a rubbish manager and no drive

Where will Newcastle and Liverpool end up this season? Text us at 81111 or tweet at #bbcfootball.

Year-on-year woe

Newcastle United

Getty Images

Jurgen Klopp and his band of gegenpressing young upstarts may have got Liverpool's fans excited, but for Newcastle it has been a(nother) year of horrible, horrible results.

Can Steve McClaren stop the rot?

Get Involved

Football was the winner Giannina...

FA Cup live

PA

Strong kit from Whitehawk this afternoon...

Away from the Premier League, we’ve got eight FA Cup second-round games under way.

National League side Altrincham took an early lead at Colchester, but have since been pegged back to 1-1.

Bradford City are 1-0 up against Southern League Chesham United, while Welling are losing at home to Carlisle.

No shocks on the cards yet, but still plenty of time for things to change.

You can follow live text commentary here and watch the goals as they go in on FA Cup Final Score.

Get Involved

We'll keep it simple this afternoon - it's crystal ball time.

How high can Liverpool realistically expect to finish this season?

And the same answer for Newcastle. Where will these sides end up this season, and why?

Getty Images

Text us at 81111 (UK Only with your names on please) or tweet us at #bbcfootball.

'Newcastle should copy Sunderland!'

Danny Murphy

Ex-Liverpool midfielder

It is a huge ask for Newcastle to stop a resurgent Liverpool side but there are ways for them to beat the Reds' pressing game and get their confidence back.

If I were Magpies boss Steve McClaren, I would be a bit more pragmatic with the players at my disposal and try to make things a bit simpler for them - like Sam Allardyce has done since taking charge at Sunderland.

The Black Cats have certainly not played pretty football since Allardyce arrived but they have looked so well organised and shown they are willing to fight for points.

Read more from Danny here.

In contrast, Newcastle's home form has not been at all good. A bizarre 6-2 thrashing of Norwich looks like a freak result, and Steve McClaren's men have not won in their other six league games at St James' Park.

And last time out they were absolutely tonked at Crystal Palace. Goals in this game?

Reds flying on the road

To the annoyance of tabloid subs across the land, Klopp may not have quite cracked playing in front of the Kop just yet, but Liverpool's recent away form has been absolutely superb.

AP

The best team in the league away from home?

Southampton (a): W 6-1

Man City (a): W 4-1

Rubin Kazan (a): W 1-0

Chelsea (a): W 3-1

Defending? Nah...

We will have team news from this afternoon's game around the 15:00 GMT mark, but they won't have much on the sides from that famous game in 1996.

No wonder there were seven goals. Just look at the attacking players on display!

BBC Sport

Apologies to any Newcastle fans who get a twinge of nostalgia at this side. Sir Les, Tino, Ginola and Peter Beardley in one team - and then they bought Alan Shearer!

I doubt Aleksandar Mitrovic would get a look-in.

BBC

"Collymore closing iinnnnn!!"

It is 19 years since Newcastle and Liverpool served up arguably the greatest game in Premier League history.

Stan Collymore's stoppage-time winner at Anfield gave the Reds a 4-3 win, and the sides served up a repeat the following year, when Robbie Fowler hit the winner in another 4-3 classic.

PA

Twice in two years? 

Of course, TV companies have spent the last 18 years searching for a repeat, and in truth they haven't got anywhere near.

But with Jurgen Klopp getting Liverpool fans excited again, and Steve McClaren's Newcastle, er, shipping lots of goals, perhaps this is the year...

Right?

Welcome to our live page for Newcastle v Liverpool. We’ll have text commentary and Radio 5 live commentary here from 15:00 GMT.