Liverpool face Newcastle United at Anfield on Sunday, kick-off at 13:30 hours (BST). The Reds go into the clash six points behind leaders Manchester United who defeated Middlesbrough 2-0 on the road courtesy of strikes from Ryan Giggs and Ji-Sung Park. Liverpool, who have won 12 and drawn two of their last 14 Anfield league meetings with Newcastle, will fancy their chances against the Geordies on Sunday. The Magpies, who arrive for the game third from bottom, have failed to win in their last nine league games; a run that now sees the team occupying one of the relegation spots.

One of the Geordies’ main problems this season has been the form away from home. Newcastle have the fourth worst away record in the league, having won just the twice. The Magpies have also not kept a clean sheet on the road since last December.

The two teams have met in the league 73 times at Anfield. Liverpool have collected 48 wins to Newcastle’s 11, with a further 14 games ending in a draw.

This season Liverpool crushed Newcastle 5-1 at St James’ Park in the reverse fixture. Steve Gerrard scored twice, with Sami Hyypia, Ryan Babel and Xabi Alonso from the spot completing the goal rout.

The last meeting between the two at Anfield ended in an emphatic 3-0 win for the Merseysiders. Fernando Torres grabbed his 25th goal of the season on the stroke half-time. The Spaniard ran onto a pass from Steve Gerrard and dummied Steve Harper before calmly converting into an empty net. The forward, who had earlier set up Pennant for Liverpool’s first, set up Gerrard in the second-half for his club’s third goal of the afternoon.


Photo: J.A. Sirvent