Charlie Adam
Former Liverpool midfielder on BBC Radio 5 Live

This is Liverpool's favourite team to play against - they've scored 104 goals against them, more than any club in the Premier League.

If Newcastle can get a point tonight then it's a massive point. Any point in the Premier League is big and I think at times Newcastle fans expect too much. Sometimes it's important to realise where you are and what your club is trying to do.

Mike Ashley has been trying to sell the club for the last three or four years, no real investment and to stay in the Premier League is a massive achievement. If they can stay in the Premier League this season and build next season then Steve Bruce has done a good job.

Newcastle [have] a big support and they expect to do things but they've not won a trophy in a long, long time so it's a tough place to go and play but it's a massive game for Newcastle tonight.

Liverpool won 7-0 in their last away game, of course.

Do you think Newcastle can get a result tonight? Let's see some thumbs...

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League leaders Liverpool have already lost four Premier League fixtures in 2020, the same amount as in 2018 and 2019 combined.

The Reds have conceded 20 Premier League goals in 15 matches so far a tally it took them 28 games to reach last season.

They have won only four of their last 13 Premier League away fixtures, drawing five and losing four.

But still, they lead.

And it's a fixture which Mohamed Salah, in particular, enjoys.

Will it be five in five (or better) for him against the Magpies after tonight?

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Newcastle United could lose six consecutive top-flight games against Liverpool for the first time tonight.

An away win would also be the first time Liverpool have won three top-flight matches in a row at St James' Park.

Newcastle have lost a club record 77 top-flight fixtures in all against Liverpool.

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Newcastle make one change to the side who lost 2-0 to Manchester City on Saturday.

Callum Wilson returns as Miguel Almiron drops to the bench.

Starting XI: Darlow, Schar, Fernandez, Clark, Ritchie, Hayden, M.Longstaff, Yedlin, Murphy, Wilson, Joelinton.

Subs: Dubravka, Carroll, Shelvey, Gayle, Lewis, Hendrick, Krafth, Almiron, S.Longstaff

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Liverpool make two changes to the side that drew with West Brom three days ago.

Joel Matip drops out of the squad after picking up an adductor injury last time out. Youngster Nathaniel Phillips comes in, while James Milner replaces Georginio Wijnaldum.

Starting XI: Allison, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Phillips, Robertson, Milner, Henderson, Jones, Salah, Firmino, Mane.

Subs: Kelleher (GK), Wijnaldum, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Minamino, Shaqiri, Origi, R.Williams, N.Williams.

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Ben Rogers: Huge night tonight for Liverpool - win and we go five points clear with a strong goal difference, drop points and things begin to look far too tight for my liking

John Arundell: If this game is like some of the battles we've seen before then its gonna be a good evening.

Tonight also offers Newcastle the opportunity to improve their current situation at the opposite end of the table, of course.

A surprise victory for the hosts against Liverpool could take Steve Bruce's side as high as 12th - and 10 points clear of trouble.

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Manchester United's late winner against Wolves last night ensured Liverpool's bitter rivals remain closely behind as we enter the new year.

There are currently three points separating first and fourth, but a return to winning ways against Newcastle tonight after Sunday's frustrating draw with West Brom will see the champions open a five-point lead at the summit.

If Jurgen Klopp's side fail to win, it would leave things looking very open indeed.

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So another game has been postponed due to covid-19 - just the one game to keep us occupied this evening but it should be a good one. As always send us your thoughts, predictions and grumblings on 81111 or #bbcfootball.

Don't forget to put your names on your messages, folks.

Callum Wilson returns for Newcastle in Steve Bruce's only change from defeat by Manchester City, as Miguel Almiron drops to the bench.

Nathaniel Phillips is chosen by Jurgen Klopp to replace the injured Joel Matip in defence, while James Milner also returns to Liverpool's starting 11 in place of Georginio Wijnaldum.

But enough of all that for now.

Let's move on to the game which is, thankfully, able to go ahead this evening.

Team news, anyone?

Manchester City's match against Everton on Monday became the second Premier League match to be called off because of coronavirus since the top flight's resumption in June.

Some good news from City is that they were able to resume first team training today, after testing yesterday revealed no new positive cases in the club's bubble.

"The bubble will undergo further testing in the coming days, the results of which will inform and dictate the next steps," the club said.

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The Premier League said it has "full confidence" that fixtures would be able to continue as planned in a statement this afternoon.

It said the match between Tottenham and Fulham was postponed "as a precaution", adding: "With low numbers of positive tests across the overwhelming majority of clubs, the Premier League continues to have full confidence in its COVID-19 protocols and being able to continue to play our fixtures as scheduled.

"The League wishes those with COVID-19 a safe and speedy recovery and will rearrange the postponed fixture between Tottenham Hotspur and Fulham in due course."

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Fulham's Premier League match at Tottenham, due to start at 18:00 GMT, was called off earlier today because of new coronavirus cases at the west London club.

Fulham requested for the fixture to be postponed, with the decision confirmed around three hours before kick-off.

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I'll bring you the team news from St James' Park in just over 10 minutes, but until then here's what we know so far...

Newcastle United have no new injury concerns, although Jonjo Shelvey and Ryan Fraser are still sidelined. Allan Saint-Maximin and Jamaal Lascelles continue to recover from coronavirus.

Liverpool face another defensive reshuffle after Joel Matip sustained an abductor injury against West Bromwich Albion. Thiago is nearing a return from a knee injury but is unlikely to be risked.

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After tonight's early kick-off between Fulham and Tottenham was called off this afternoon, it falls entirely on the shoulders of Newcastle and Liverpool to serve up a thriller and leave us all with a smile on our faces in the final Premier League fixture of 2020.

No pressure, then.

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