Skrtel diverts Wijnaldum cross into own net
Wijnaldum adds late second from Sissoko pass
Newcastle only in bottom three on goal difference
Klopp suffers second loss as Liverpool boss
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
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.
Image source, ReutersNewcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
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)
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
Image source, Getty ImagesDaniel Sturridge is only on the bench this afternoon. Along with Divock Origi - who scored a hat-trick in midweek!
on 81111
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
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
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.
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
Image source, PAIt 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.
#bbcfootball
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
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
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.
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
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.
Image source, OptaLiverpool 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.
Image source, Opta81111
"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
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
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.
Image source, 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."
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
Image source, ReutersLiverpool 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.”
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
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.
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
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.
#bbcfootball
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
Newcastle v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
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 v Liverpool (16:00 GMT)
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.”
Image source, ReutersCarlisle 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.