Liverpool versus Newcastle United has proven to be an entertaining fixture down the years with goals and drama in abundance.
The Reds are unbeaten in 26 home games against the Magpies and have scored 109 goals against them in the Premier League era - more than against any other team. Particular highlights of the fixture include two barn-storming 4-3 classics in 1996 and 1997, the first of which was eventually voted Premier League game of the decade.
The Toon however, are on the up, with new owners and progress under manager Eddie Howe. Striker Alexander Isak has just signed and will hope to be available in time to face the Reds.
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Ahead of the big match, the ECHO caught up with social media football content creator and massive Newcastle fan Kendall Rowan, who appears regularly on Gary Neville's Sky Sports fan debate programme The Overlap. We asked Kendall to share her thoughts on the Magpies' evolvement and what her expectations are for the the trip to Anfield.
This time last year Newcastle were languishing at the bottom of the Premier League with just a solitary point. How dramatic a ride has the turnaround been?
The turnaround has been immense. Not even just the results - we had the longest unbeaten run at home since Sir Bobby and were fourth in the form table come the end of the season - but even the atmosphere and the feeling in general around the city has changed. I’ve gone to games for 16 years and can’t remember the atmosphere and genuine hope ever being this good.
The club has received plenty of criticism around its new owners and Saudi Arabia’s human rights record. Is it something that bothers you as a supporter?
I’ve said in the past that we shouldn’t shy away from the criticism of the ownership, I believe that as fans we now have a platform to speak on these issues if we feel comfortable. I do however get offended when the media expect your average Newcastle fan to know the ins and outs of human rights and be a beacon of knowledge - most fans are here for the football and shouldn’t be expected to know everything.
Eddie Howe appears to be very popular at St James’ Park since joining the club. Do you see him as a long term manager for Newcastle or is this stepping stone for the club’s owners in pursuit of one of the biggest names in management?
I absolutely do. I think he has proven time and time again he is right for the job - his coaching, the improvement of players like Joelinton who under previous management looked poor, the fact he just gets the club and the fans and what the club means to us. He’s a young dynamic coach that I have no doubt will keep improving.
It’s been a long time since Newcastle won any silverware, how do you rate your chances of that changing this season?
I don’t want to get too carried away in our first full season under the new ownership, we have craved a cup since long before even my dad was born! But never say never - I would love a genuine decent cup run, and would hope maybe the Carabao Cup came in the next year or so.
Allan Saint-Maximin has hit the ground running this season with spectacular performances. What are your own thoughts on the Frenchman?
Maxi is such a luxury player, the technical ability, the skills and showboating. He is also in equal measure frustrating but that’s simply because we know he has it in him - look to the goal at Wolves- we just want him to be more consistent within games. No doubt he is a fan favourite though, and what he does outside of football in our local community is immense.
Saint-Maximin is an obvious danger man in this Newcastle side, but who else should Liverpool be worried about on Wednesday evening?
My first thought would of course be Bruno, however with it looking likely he is out for the game at Anfield, I think new man Isak is going to be a threat if he plays. He is new to the league, tall and physical so it will be hard to play against him. Other than that it would have to be Trippier for me- his leadership is second to none, his eye for a long ball and a cheeky free kick goal can never be underestimated.
The Reds have made a slow start to the season, albeit Bournemouth might not agree, does that give you encouragement for the match at Anfield?
If we had a full strength squad, even at Anfield, the way we’ve been playing I think we could give you a good game. However we seem to have a few senior injuries, especially to Bruno and Wilson, so the team isn’t the best we could put out. What gives me encouragement though is that this team doesn’t give up even in the hardest circumstances so I will always back us to show up.
If you could take one Liverpool player out of Jurgen Klopp’s team and put them into Newcastle’s who would it be?
This is probably everyone’s answer but it would have to be Salah for me. We need a winger/wide attacker in the team, Salah has had a slow start to the season but he is still almost inevitable at this point. Definitely Salah or Luis Diaz.
Liverpool and Newcastle have played out some classic encounters at Anfield over the years, none more so than the incredible 4-3 matches in 1996 and 1997. Do you think we could be in for another similar type of match this week?
This all depends on our injuries I think- we need our strongest side out in front of the crowd at Anfield to get anything. But Isak could bag on his first appearance plus a Trippier free kick or a Maxi wonder strike, you never know. Maybe Liverpool are goal-ed out after nine at the weekend!
Finally, what is your score prediction for the big match?
I never back us to lose even if I think we’re going to, so I’ll say 2-2.
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