Five months on from that undeserved defeat at Anfield, Newcastle welcome Liverpool to St James’ Park for what promises to be a huge game in the top four race.
Ahead of tonight’s 5.30pm kick-off, here’s the starting XI we see Eddie Howe going with and why…
(4-2-3-1): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Joelinton – Almiron, Gordon, Saint-Maximin – Isak.
I can’t see Wilson starting when he only trained for the first time this week on Friday. We need him to be back to 100% and risk losing him for the final if he’s thrown in for this one. Howe was also full of praise for Isak in Friday’s press conference and knows how much he stretched Liverpool’s defence in the reverse fixture, so he seems likely to start again.
Willock and Bruno’s absence leaves us light in midfield, meaning Gordon could make his first start for the club in more of a number 10 role. It’s not ideal, but he has the energy, pace and determination to be a nuisance at both ends in that role, with Joelinton and Longstaff likely to play in deeper roles behind our new £40m man.
Saint-Maximin against Alexander-Arnold would be a risk-reward battle which would go either way, but Howe has vowed to give the Frenchman a run in the side. If he gets another start, let’s hope he gives the England international nightmares down our left.
Once again, I can’t see us making any changes at the back. With Mo Salah looking back at it against Everton and Burn having a stinker at Bournemouth, we’ll have to hope the big man is back at it for this one.
