Liverpool play host to relegation-threatened Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday evening, aiming to maintain their unbeaten top-flight record at Anfield this season.
The Reds have been in fine form for the past four months, losing just two games in all competitions since the end of October to ensure that they remain on track to hit their targets for the campaign.
Liverpool
© OffsidePretty much the biggest compliment you can pay Liverpool right now is to talk up their ability to make the wins over Southampton and West Ham United in their most recent league outings look so easy.
Too often under Jurgen Klopp the Reds have lacked consistency just when it matters, although two defeats from 25 matches in all competitions - albeit with one of those knocking them out of the FA Cup - has put paid to those accusations.
Since suffering back-to-back losses to Swansea City in the league and West Bromwich Albion in the cup, it has been business as usual for Liverpool as they have picked up 10 points from the last 12 available.
The impressive run of form temporarily lifted Klopp's men into second place last weekend, where they remained for 24 hours or so until Manchester United - whom they face in a blockbuster clash at Old Trafford next weekend - saw off Chelsea 2-1 for an impressive result of their own.
Sitting third heading into the final stretch is not bad going at all for the Reds, though, and most importantly of all they are now four points better off than Chelsea in fifth, meaning they are on course for back-to-back campaigns in the Champions League.
Not since 2009 has that happened, but merely competing in European football's showpiece event is not the target for Klopp; winning it is now a possibility after effectively sealing a place in the last eight of this year's competition.
A five-goal thrashing of Porto last month was just about the perfect way for Liverpool to mark their return to the knockout stage following a nine-year absence, setting up what should be a second-leg stroll when the Portuguese outfit visit Anfield next week.
Klopp will therefore be able to rotate his squad and keep key players, including the in-form frontline, fresh ahead of the huge showdown with Man United in a little over a week's time - a match that could determine which of the pretenders finish second to Manchester City.
Recent form in Premier League: WLWDWW
Recent form (all competitions): LWDWWW
Newcastle United
© SilverHubOn his latest return to Merseyside, where he will no doubt receive a positive reception, Newcastle boss Rafael Benitez knows that there is still plenty of work to be done if his side are to avoid the drop.
The Magpies may be on a four-game unbeaten run, and they have lost just one of their last eight in the league since the end of December - that coming against runaway leaders Man City - but too many games have been drawn in that time.
Case in point being the most recent of those fixtures, coming away at Bournemouth last weekend when leading by two goals heading into the final 10 minutes, only to come away with just a point.
That was Newcastle's fourth draw in six matches, the majority coming in what can be best described as 'winnable' fixtures, ensuring that they remain just two points above the dropzone in 15th place.
Had Benitez's men held on at the Vitality Stadium they would occupy 12th spot on goal difference, but as it is they are deep in the relegation mix, with just eight points separating ninth-placed Everton and Stoke City down in 19th.
United certainly have more reason to be positive than some of the sides around them, though, and skipper Jamaal Lascelles revealed this week that he and his teammates are confident they will "be more than safe" come the end of the season.
With trips to Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur in two of their next three games, however, as well as home matches against Arsenal and Chelsea still to come, Lascelles's confidence may be a little misplaced.
That said, the Toon have shown that they are more than capable to taking points off the division's elite clubs, most recently beating Man United 1-0 on home soil, and a similar result this weekend will give Benitez a chance to look up towards the top half rather than over his shoulder at the bottom three.
Recent form in Premier League: DLDDWD
Recent form (all competitions): LLDDWD
Team News
© SilverHubGeorginio Wijnaldum and Danny Ings were both absent from the squad to face West Ham last week due to illness but should be back for this one, while skipper Jordan Henderson is also in contention.
There is still a question mark over Nathaniel Clyne, who continued his recovery from a long-term layoff with an outing for the Under-23s this week, although Klopp will see no reason to rush the defender back.
The Reds have no other known injury or suspension concerns, so other than rotation in midfield they may well go with the same side that saw off West Ham 4-1 at Anfield last weekend, with Sadio Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino used up top.
Benitez will have to make do without influential midfielder Jonjo Shelvey, meanwhile, as the former Liverpool ace has been struggling with separate groin and knee injuries.
Strikers Dwight Gayle and Islam Slimani are suffering from thigh strains, which will likely see both miss out on inclusion in the 18-man squad that travels to Merseyside.
Joselu is therefore favourite to lead the attack, while at the other end of the field Ciaran Clark is back available and may line up in a five-man backline.
Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Karius; Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold; Wijnaldum, Henderson, Oxlade-Chamberlain; Mane, Firmino, Salah
Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Yedlin, Lejeune, Lascelles, Clark, Dummett; Murphy, Hayden, Diame, Kennedy; Joselu
Head To Head
Liverpool are unbeaten in 21 home matches against this weekend's opponents, winning 17 of those since a 2-0 loss in April 1994 - Andy Cole and Rob Lee registering that afternoon.
The Reds have netted more Premier League goals against Newcastle than any other side, including a couple in a 2-2 draw in April 2016 on the Magpies' most recent trip here.
Each of the last two games has finished all square, in fact, as Joselu cancelled out Philippe Coutinho's opener to earn his side a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture five months ago.
We say: Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle United
Newcastle have become hard to beat of late but are still deep in relegation trouble, and their problems could become a whole lot worse on Saturday evening against the top-flight's most in-form side over the past couple of months. Liverpool have second place in their sights and will be desperate to keep the momentum going ahead of their trip to Man United the following week.
