Newcastle United

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe to BBC Match of the Day: “I think Liverpool were probably not at their best but we weren’t either and when you play these games you have to be. We competed well but lacked the quality that could have got us a goal.

"It is difficult to it consistently against Liverpool as they have the quality to produce a counter-attack out of nothing. We were much more aggressive in the second half but did not have any concerted pressure in the game.

We were not at our best today but we were still in the game right to the end, so there are positives to take. But we set our standards very high and next week we have to do much better.”

On decision to rest Chris Wood: “We view every game independently. We needed to be strong down the sides against Liverpool’s wide players. Chris has been fantastic but it was an opportunity to look at something else."

Fara Williams
Former Liverpool and England midfielder on Final Score

We thought Burnley were down and out by Mike Jackson has had a massive impact. They have been playing a little different to under Dyche, with more creativity. They are playing with freedom and with smiles on their faces.

Martin Keown
Former England defender on Football focus

On Sean Dyche being sacked by Burnley and Mike Jackson taking caretaker charge

No one really supported the manager change but maybe they were right.

He has turned it around.

Dion Dublin
Former Premier League striker on Football Focus

Burnley will be buoyant. Their body language will be different in training, there will be confidence.

If I need to be in a dressing room, I'd be in Burnley's. If you are looking around a dressing room in the eyes of team-mates, there is more fighters, grit and fight in the eyes there.

Liverpool

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, speaking to BT Sport: "It’s the most difficult of circumstances. A team in form, a crowd waiting for ages for proper success. Coming here with five changes and building pretty much a new setup is really difficult, so the performance was absolutely outstanding. I loved it. We controlled the game in so many ways.

"The only plan they had was the long ball to our right side. The impact we have from the bench is outstanding. Joe Gomez, what a game. Naby Keita, what a game. James Milner, what a game. Diogo Jota – my god, what a game. Then you see Andy Robertson in the 93rd minute, making the run.

"You can’t really defend them properly because it’s always these long balls. It’s really difficult to get a feeling for the game, but it’s obviously not the first time these things happen. We had to put Joel [Matip] wide and Joe [Gomez] on the side. We had to put Naby [Keita] in front of the challenges.

"Our people were outstanding and Newcastle are obviously a really passionate crowd. Winning here is special."

On climbing above Manchester City: "Oh god. I didn’t think a second until now about Manchester City. I’m thinking immediately now about Villarreal [in the Champions League]."

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Image source, .

Neither of these sides usually have many goals in them but I'm hoping this might be bit more open than expected.

Wolves have gone off the boil of late, with three defeats in their past four games, but they have had runs like that before this season and they have never lasted too long.

Brighton have picked up more points away (25) than at home (16) this season, including those impressive wins at Arsenal and Tottenham at the start of the month, but I am going with Wolves to edge this one.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Chris Wise
BBC Radio 5 Live commentator at Vicarage Road

Watford manager Roy Hodgson is here today, despite leaving training early yesterday because he wasn’t feeling well.

And it’s the first game between Watford and Burnley that hasn’t involved Sean Dyche since 2011.

Image source, BBC Sport

Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder James Milner, speaking to BT Sport: "I think we controlled it well in spells, but you’re not going to be able to do that all game. They’re on fire at the moment so we knew it wasn’t going to be easy.

"It was nice to be in the lead, but one goal’s never enough in this league. In a few situations we could have done better, but at this time of the season it’s all about getting that win and moving on.

"The position we’re in, challenging on all fronts, it proves you need a good squad. Everybody’s needed. We’ve just got to keep that mindset going and, in three days, go again."

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Image source, .

Aston Villa got a point at Leicester last time out after four straight defeats but they really need a win and a good performance here after slipping down the table in recent weeks.

It's important for Steven Gerrard that things don't continue to drift until the end of the season after he made such a strong start as Villa boss, because how they finish the campaign will affect who he is able to attract to the club in the summer.

Norwich are even more desperate for points and could be relegated on Saturday if they lose and Burnley beat Watford.

Unfortunately for the Canaries it is just a question now of when they go down, not if.

They didn't play too well against Newcastle last time out and it felt as if one or two of them had already accepted they would be falling through the trap door.

Lawro's prediction: 2-0

Mark Lawrenson
BBC football expert

Image source, .

Both these sides are in mid-table and on paper don't have much to play for but it's so tight in there they could finish anywhere between ninth and 15th, and a top-half finish is worth fighting for.

Wherever they end up, I'd argue Saints and Palace have both had good seasons because they have never looked remotely in danger of the drop, but that's a bigger achievement for Palace.

They changed their manager and also the way they played last summer, and took a bit of a gamble on Patrick Vieira. It has definitely paid off.

This is actually really difficult to predict, because neither side is exactly flying form-wise - they've both managed one win, two draws and two defeats from their past five games - but I'm going with Southampton because they are at home.

Lawro's prediction: 2-1

Mark Scott
Match of the Day commentator at St Mary's

Wilfried Zaha is described as the “jewel” in Palace’s crown in the Matchday programme, but he starts on the bench, which led to a lot of consternation in the press room.

Patrick Vieira has just been explaining the reason, saying: "He's taken a little time to recover from all the kicks he got against Leeds. For someone who apparently dives so much he seems to be kicked an awful lot."

That is a nod to Kalvin Phillips’ comments the other day.

Martin Keown
Former England defender on Final Score

Liverpool made a number of changes but Klopp has such an array of talent to choose from. It was a massive win. They are back in front. Absolutely outstanding.

Liverpool

Liverpool midfielder James Milner to BBC Match of the Day: “At this stage of the season the points are the most important thing. It was a good performance in spells. We could have controlled it a bit better but they are a good team. It’s a tough place to come and a great place to play football.

"It was always going to be tough but the three points was the most important thing.

"There’s always pressure. When you play for Liverpool you are expected to win every game. The pressure comes from the dressing room and from the manager, making sure we are the highest level. That’s what the training comes in for, days like these.

"They caused us problems and we had to make a few changes. They are a good side with good players and it was a good test for us. Thankfully we were able to keep a clean sheet, which has been so important for us lately. They guys at the back have done a great job."

Will he watch the Leeds v Man City game? "I won’t watch. Even though it’s Leeds and for obvious reasons I want them to do well. I might have a little peak at the score, that’s it."

Liverpool

Liverpool full-back Andy Robertson, speaking to BT Sport: "Newcastle worked really hard, they’re in fantastic shape. They’re in the top ten, so we knew it was going to be difficult. Luckily we got the goal and I don’t think they had too many chances after that. We had a few to kill the game off but we’re just happy with the three points.

"Joelinton was causing us a couple of problems early on, but in the second half I thought the lads were excellent against him. They started better than us but then we got a foothold in the game. We got the goal and we got a bit better after that.

"They didn’t have many chances. I thought the two centre-backs and Joe Gomez were different class. We’re blessed we’ve got everyone fit just now - maybe apart from Bobby [Firmino]. We made five changes today, but the lads that are coming in are putting in big performances. We need that between now and the end of the season."

On being top of the league: "We’ll see how long it lasts, but we just have to win our games."

Fara Williams
Former Liverpool and England midfielder on Final Score

The most impressive thing is the six changes. It shows their squad depth. They controlled the game.

Liverpool have picked up 40 points from the last 42 on offer in the Premier League (P14 W13 D1).

They have only dropped points away to reigning champions Manchester City during this run.