Fresh from a 6-1 demolition of Southampton in the League Cup, Liverpool look to maintain their rip-roaring form under Jurgen Klopp by visiting Newcastle United on Sunday evening.
With two points separating the Magpies from safety, time is running out for Steve McClaren and another heavy defeat could spell the beginning of the end of his short stay on Tyneside.
Newcastle United
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Nineteenth in the Premier League table with just two wins all season, there are no prizes for guessing what takes pride of place on McClaren's Santa list. He needs points and fast.
The under-fire Newcastle United boss did very little to help his cause last week after the Magpies were smashed 5-1 at Crystal Palace. McClaren pleaded for time, but it is growing increasingly difficult for the 54-year-old to make a convincing case for himself.
That result followed a 3-0 home defeat by Leicester City. Even their 1-0 win at Bournemouth at the beginning of November was hugely fortunate given the way in which the hosts were utterly dominant.
It has been a case of one step forward and several steps back for Newcastle, whose two victories this season were followed by heavy defeats. "Nobody is happy here," said McClaren in his press conference today, and it is difficult to see that changing.
With eight defeats and four draws in their 14 Premier League outings, it has proven Newcastle's worst start to a season for 117 years and, worryingly, it does not look like improving anytime soon.
On current form, United do not look like a team capable of laying a glove on Liverpool. They desperately need a tonic but, with a trip to in-form Tottenham Hotspur also around the corner, it is much more likely to be a gin and tonic.
Two points shy of safety, McClaren will do well to keep his job by 2016 unless there is a drastic upturn in fortunes over the coming weeks. Few can see it happening - himself included.
Recent form: WLDWLL
Liverpool
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Klopp has done his best to play down Liverpool's chances of winning the Premier League title this season but, on this form, he has a lot of convincing to do.
Whether he acknowledges it or not, the Reds - who have won seven of their last eight games in all competitions - are challengers. Six points behind leaders Manchester City in a topsy-turvy season for England's elite, anything is possible.
There is work to be done, and last Sunday's unconvincing 1-0 win at home to Swansea City proved that, but the way in which they followed it up will undoubtedly have the likes of Arsene Wenger, Manuel Pellegrini and Louis van Gaal feeling a little uneasy.
On Wednesday, Klopp's side smashed Southampton 6-1 to reach the semi-finals of the League Cup, with fit-again Daniel Sturridge reminding the German of his qualities with two goals. Not many sides have done that to Southampton in recent years.
When Liverpool are good, they are very good and that 4-1 win at the Etihad last month certainly appears to be the seminal moment in the Klopp era that it initially seemed.
Champions League qualification must be the primary target, but another comprehensive win on Sunday and the German will find it much harder to play down Liverpool's credentials.
Recent form: DDWLWW
Recent form (all competitions): WLWWWW
Team News
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Mike Williamson is ruled out for the Magpies, a matter of days after being recalled from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Elsewhere, Cheick Tiote remains a sidelined after failing to recover from a groin strain and he will play no part on Sunday.
For Liverpool, Sturridge, fresh from his brace in the League Cup rout of Southampton, could make his first Premier League start in over two months.
Meanwhile, the suspended Emre Can drops out and fit-again captain Jordan Henderson could take his place in midfield. It would also be his first league start since August.
Philippe Coutinho, such a shining light in the Reds' recent victories away to Chelsea and City, remains a doubt due to a hamstring injury.
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Elliot; Janmaat, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett; Colback, Anita; Sissoko, Perez, Wijnaldum; Cisse
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Mignolet, Clyne, Skrtel, Lovren, Moreno, Henderson, Milner, Lallana, Ibe, Sturridge, Benteke
Head To Head
United have won just one of the last six Premier League meetings between both sides. That victory came last season at St James' Park when Ayoze Perez struck on 73 minutes to give Alan Pardew's side a 1-0 triumph over Brendan Rodgers's Liverpool. In April 2013, the Reds won 6-0 in the North-East in what remains the most comprehensive win by either side since 1967.
We say: Newcastle United 1-3 Liverpool
On current form, Liverpool might just be the best team in England and Newcastle look powerless from being another victim of a mauling by the Reds. Both sides boast such contrasting mentalities and morale at the minute, and it is ever so hard to see anything but a comfortable away win.
Shane Callaghan
