Stadium: Anfield, England
Match Time: 13:30 UK
22' Yossi Benayoun
28' Dirk Kuyt
87' Lucas
Team News:
Steven Gerrard will return from injury to lead Liverpool in the crucial Barclays Premier League home clash with Newcastle.
Gerrard has missed four games with a groin problem but has returned to full training this week and will be back in midfield against a side Liverpool have beaten in six of their last seven meetings scoring 19 goals in the process.
Liverpool have no other injury problems, with Swiss international Philipp Degen continuing his comeback from injury in the reserves in midweek, but the full-back will not be involved against Newcastle.
Liverpool boss Rafael Benitez believes his own team will face a side now with rediscovered belief, following the Magpies' appointment of Alan Shearer, who is yet to taste victory in his spell as manager of the relegation-threatened side.
"It is a difficult situation when a club keeps changing the manager,'' said Benitez.
"Alan Shearer is there now but it is too soon to know what real effect that has had.
"But I have watched some videos of games, and I could see the passion from their team and the work-rate, they are trying very hard to make things change.
"We beat them 5-1 away this season, but this time it will be different. It is so close to the end of the season and they are fighting for their lives so it will be a tough game.''
He added: "We do not expect to score five again, it is too important now for them and us. It will not be easy in any way.
"They are under pressure, against Portsmouth in midweek they were working very hard and their commitment was fantastic.
"They are playing for something now. They will fight for everything to the end.''
Benitez still believes there is a chance of taking the title, despite Manchester United's lead at the top.
"We have to win every game, take three points and then see what happens to Manchester United,'' he said.
"They are in a better position than us but I still believe they will slip-up.
"They have some very difficult games, but we have to do our job and you never know what will happen.
"They have to play Arsenal and Manchester City, difficult games, so hopefully they will make some mistakes.''
Shearer has concerns in defence and will be without key defenders Jose Enrique and Steven Taylor.
Enrique is out with the hamstring problem he picked up in Monday night's 0-0 draw with Portsmouth, while Taylor remains on the sidelines as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury.
Jonas Gutierrez (ankle) is fit and midfielder Joey Barton, an unused substitute against Pompey, is also included in the squad once again.
Newcastle still believe they can rescue themselves despite failing to beat Portsmouth, although they are likely to have to beat Middlesbrough and Fulham at home and possibly get at least a point from their trips to Anfield or, on the final day of the season, Aston Villa, to do so.
Shearer's side might have given themselves a lifeline if Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen or Mark Viduka had taken the one chance each that came their way against Pompey.
However, amid speculation Owen could be the man to make way at Anfield with Shearer extremely unlikely to field all three strikers in his starting line-up, Martins is convinced he can get himself back among the goals if he is given the chance.
"You just try to get on with your job, and all I am thinking about is scoring against Liverpool,'' he said.
"We have had difficulties lately, but if we go there positive, there is a chance. We are going there to get three points.''
Newcastle have a poor recent record at Anfield - they have won only once there in the Premier League - and Shearer, who won the title there with Blackburn in 1995 despite losing 2-1 on the day, admits keeping his home-town club in the top flight would be an even bigger achievement.
"I think it would be - without a doubt,'' he said. "It would be the biggest and best thing that's ever happened.
"It will be the most difficult game we have faced in my time here. But is it impossible? No.
"Not many people will give us a chance going there, but we have got to go there and believe, and all I'm asking from the players is to give me everything they've got. If they do that, I can't ask for any more.
"Yes, we will need a little bit of luck at some stage, and yes, we will be under the cosh at some stage.
"But can we ride our luck, work hard and come away with something? I hope so.''
(credits:soccernet)
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