Liverpool head to Newcastle United on Wednesday evening aiming to strengthen their position at the top of the table and record their ninth win in 10 Premier League matches.
Head coach Arne Slot believes that the in-form Reds will face a tougher test at St James' Park than their last two matches against Real Madrid and Manchester City, the teams they defeated so convincingly last week.
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Recent history is certainly on the side of Liverpool, who could extend their unbeaten run in this fixture to 16 matches.
Here's everything you need to know ahead of the match.
Where are both teams?
Liverpool are nine points clear at the top of the Premier League after recording 11 wins from their first 13 matches.
Only twice before has a team held such an advantage at this stage.
Slot's team are coming off a fantastic week after recording 2-0 home victories over UEFA Champions League holders Real Madrid and title rivals Man City in the space of five days. They have been equally as impressive on the road too, only failing to beat Arsenal.
Newcastle have won just two of their last eight matches, with Eddie Howe's team being held to a 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace in their most recent outing.
They may sit 11th, but have beaten Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspur at home this season and also held Pep Guardiola's City.
Newcastle v Liverpool: Last five meetings
1 Jan 2024: Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
27 Aug 2023: Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool
18 Feb 2023: Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool
31 Aug 2022: Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
30 April 2022: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool
Team news
Newcastle: Howe remains hopeful striker Alexander Isak can play. The striker was substituted with a hip injury on Saturday and his head coach said it isn't a long-term issue, suggesting he could feature tonight.
Howe is also optimistic that defender Dan Burn will be available despite his ongoing ankle problem. Jamaal Lascelles, Emil Krafth and Sven Botman all remain sidelined.
Liverpool: Slot will be unable to call upon right-back Conor Bradley and centre-back Ibrahima Konate.
Goalkeeper Alisson and striker Diogo Jota will also miss the trip to St James' Park, with Kostas Tsimikas also unlikely to be feature but Federico Chiesa is back in training.
Slot said of Alisson: "He’s getting there. It might take a few more extra days but he’s getting closer and closer and like I’ve always said the end phase of rehab is always the period where you feel like, ‘OK, is he really there or does he need a few extra days?’ But he will be in goal before the end of December if things continue like they are.”
What the managers have said
On Newcastle's recent record v Liverpool: "Games against them have been tight, especially home games. [The] Last one was painful from last year. Every time you play opposition like Liverpool you learn new things. It will be a great occasion under lights at St James' Park and have to create that atmosphere against them."
On being considered title favourites: "I've said many times already, we don't look at it at this moment like this. We know we have a difficult week coming up again. We thought Madrid and City were very difficult teams to face - which they actually were as well - I think it's even harder to go away to Newcastle."
On Newcastle challenge: "They are a team that have won at home to Chelsea and Arsenal and drawn against Man City. The players don't need me to tell them how difficult the game will be."
Form guide
Iconic moments from the fixture
Match officials
Referee: Andy Madley. Assistants: Wade Smith, Craig Taylor. Fourth official: Anthony Backhouse. VAR: Stuart Attwell. Assistant VAR: James Mainwaring.
Key facts
Newcastle have lost the previous six meetings and haven't beaten the Reds in 15 Premier League matches.
Liverpool have won on five of their last six league visits St James’ Park.
Mohamed Salah has been directly involved in 14 league goals against Newcastle, scoring eight and setting up six.
Liverpool have won 11 Premier League matches in which they have trailed against Newcastle, the most comeback wins one side has recorded against another.
Newcastle haven't beaten the team starting the day top of the Premier League table since defeating Chelsea in 2014.
