Good afternoon! A very merry Christmas - and happy Boxing Day - from all of us at Sports Mole, and as is tradition we are celebrating the occasion with a whole feast of football!
The league leaders are in action here at Anfield today as Liverpool host Newcastle United in what is usually one of the more goal-laden and exciting fixtures in the competition.
We will have a close look at both teams in a short while, but let's start by checking out the team news...
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum; Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane; Salah
NEWCASTLE STARTING XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Fernandez, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie; Diame, Hayden, Kenedy; Muto; Joselu
NEWCASTLE SUBS: Woodman, Manquillo, Schar, Longstaff, Murphy, Perez, Rondon
What can we make of those two teams, then?
Well, there were suggestions that Liverpool might name a weakened side for this match with games against Arsenal and Man City coming up, but Jurgen Klopp sticks with a strong XI and he looks to press home his side's advantage at the top of the table.
Mane, Firmino and Salah all start for the hosts, while Xherdan Shaqiri also comes into the team in what looks like it will be a 4-2-3-1 formation.
Salah's goal against Wolves on Friday was his 11th in the league this season, and he has a particularly good record here at Anfield, having scored 24 goals in 27 Premier League home games for Liverpool here.
However, he has failed to find the back of the net in his last two outings here, and should he draw another blank today then it would be a three-game drought for the first time in his Liverpool career.
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Klopp makes three changes in total from the team which started against Wolves on Friday, including a return for Trent Alexander-Arnold, who had missed the last two games with a foot injury.
He comes in for James Milner, while Shaqiri and former Newcastle man Georginio Wijnaldum also come into the team as Fabinho and Keita drop to the bench.
That means that captain Jordan Henderson starts once again in midfield, and Lovren is once again alongside the imperious Van Dijk at the heart of the defence with Gomez and Matip still sidelined.
Robertson completes the back four on the right - and will no doubt be looking to attack whenever possible - while Alisson, as ever, is between the sticks.
As for Newcastle, they opt for what looks like a back five once again, which should help to give them more protection against those dangerous Liverpool attackers.
It does mean that Matt Ritchie is expected to play in a slightly deeper role than he is used to, but he and Yedlin on the opposite flank will pose a threat on the counter when Newcastle do win the ball.
Federico Fernandez returns to the side after only making the bench against Fulham at the weekend, having only recently returned from a calf problem.
Fabian Schar drops out of the starting XI as a result of that, with Lascelles and Dummett making up the central three this afternoon.
Fernandez's return is one of six changes made by
Rafael Benitez as he shuffles his pack for this match, perhaps with half a mind on the fact that points are more likely to come from other games around this busy period rather than at Anfield.
The likes of Rondon, Perez and former Liverpool defender Manquillo all drop to the bench for the Magpies, with Muto and Joselu leading the line.
Jonjo Shelvey - another former Liverpool man - is also absent with a thigh injury, while Newcastle will be without Ki for the foreseeable future now after he joined up with the South Korea squad for the Asian Cup.
Isaac Hayden comes into the midfield in his place, while Kenedy is also included to add pace on the counter and to provide extra defensive cover in the wide areas.
UPDATE: The early Boxing Day kickoff has just finished, and the spoils have been shared between Fulham and Wolves, with the visitors needing a late equaliser at Craven Cottage.
Wolves are the team Liverpool beat on Friday night to move four points clear at the top of the table, of course, but the real Christmas present came a day later when Manchester City fell to a shock home defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.
That result means that the lead remains four points heading into today's fixtures, and Liverpool fans will have one eye on events at the King Power Stadium today as Leicester host the champions.
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Liverpool were not at their very best against Wolves - particularly in the first half - but towering performances from Van Dijk and Salah secured them yet another three points as they continue their remarkable form this season.
The Reds are still unbeaten and have made the best start to a top-flight season in their entire history, having still dropped only six points from the 54 on offer so far this term.
This time last season Liverpool were a whopping 18 points off the top of the table, so their turnaround has been very impressive so far this season - although it will only be remembered if they can mark it with silverware.
The positive is that eight of the last nine teams to have been top of the table on Christmas Day have gone on to win the trophy, although the only exception in that time were Liverpool themselves in 2013-14.
Should Liverpool avoid defeat today then it would be the joint second-longest unbeaten streak at the start of a top-flight season, and they are already enjoying their longest ever Premier League run without defeat of 19 games.
The Reds have won their last seven of those and could today make it eight on the bounce for the first time since the run of 11 which took them to the brink of glory in 2013-14.
Doing so would see Liverpool set a new club record of 26 league wins inside a calendar year, but arguably the most impressive aspect of their season so far has been their defensive record.
The Reds have kept more clean sheets than anyone else in the division and their tally of only seven goals conceded is the joint fewest after 18 games of a season in English top-flight history - level with Chelsea's class of 2008-09.
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Liverpool are, of course, still unbeaten at Anfield this season, with seven wins from their eight matches and just two goals conceded - the lowest home tally in the division.
Indeed, you have to go back to April 2017 - 29 matches ago - for the last time Liverpool were beaten at home in the Premier League.
It is 32 years since Liverpool lost a home game on Boxing Day, winning eight and drawing three, and across all competitions this season the Reds have won 10 of their 12 outings - including each of the last six.
After today Liverpool have one more match left of 2018 - at home to Arsenal - before beginning 2019 with a mouth-watering clash against title rivals Manchester City at the Etihad.
On paper, then, this match against Newcastle is Liverpool's easiest of their next three, although they are the last club that will need reminding about
Rafael Benitez's tactical nous.
The Magpies arrive at Anfield with very little expectation on their shoulders today, but you can be sure that they will try to frustrate the Reds and - if they succeed - then it may not be a happy Boxing Day for the hosts.
Five points now separate Newcastle from the relegation zone, sitting 15th in the table with 17 points from their opening 18 games - around the average it usually takes to stay in the division.
Things are still precarious, the, but Newcastle were in the relegation zone at this stage of last term - not to mention two points worse off - and they went on to finish 10th in the table.
The major concern for Benitez right now will be his side's goalscoring exploits - or lack thereof.
Only Huddersfield have scored fewer goals than Newcastle 14 from the opening 18 games of the season, which isn't ideal when coming up against the best defensive record in the division today.
Only the flip side, only six teams in the entire division - and only two outside the top four - have conceded fewer goals, and Newcastle kept a clean sheet just last weekend.
The Magpies played out a goalless draw with bottom-placed Fulham on Saturday, failing to register a single shot on target against a team which had, before then, failed to keep a clean sheet i the league all season.
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Newcastle have only lost two of their last nine league games stretching back to October, but they have also only won one of their last five.
It does not bode well for a team that has lost nine of their last 10 games against teams sitting top of the table, although perversely being away from home may actually help Benitez's side today.
The Magpies have actually picked up more points away from home than they have in front of their own hands this term, with 10 of their 17 coming on the road.
Newcastle are unbeaten in their last four away league games, winning two of the last three, and if they can pull off a shock result here then they will have won back-to-back top-flight away games for the first time since New Year's Day.
PREDICTION: Right, we're 10 minutes away from kickoff at Anfield, which means that it is time for a prediction!
I cannot see past a comfortable home win in this one. Benitez can make his teams hard to break down, but Newcastle have a torrid record here at Anfield and Liverpool are in winning style.
SPORTS MOLE: Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle
Newcastle have not won away to Liverpool at Anfield in any competition since 1995, when they ran out 1-0 victors in a League Cup, while their wait for a Premier League triumph here extends even further back to 1994.
Newcastle have visited Anfield 22 times since then, losing 18 and drawing two since their maiden victory in April 1994.
Home or away Newcastle have won just two of their last 10 Premier League games against Liverpool, drawing four and losing four in that run too.
Liverpool have at least scored in each of their last 22 home league games against Newcastle, which is a competition record.
The most recent meeting between these two sides was also at Anfield as Salah and Mane were on the scoresheet in a 2-0 victory in March.
The reverse content last season ended in a 1-1 draw, though, with Joselu cancelling out Coutinho's opener.
Right, we're almost ready to get going now! A reminder of the team news before we do...
LIVERPOOL STARTING XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Lovren, Van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Wijnaldum; Shaqiri, Firmino, Mane; Salah
NEWCASTLE STARTING XI: Dubravka; Yedlin, Fernandez, Lascelles, Dummett, Ritchie; Diame, Hayden, Kenedy; Muto; Joselu
KICKOFF: Here we go, then! Liverpool get us underway at Anfield!
Some lovely early football from Liverpool almost sees them break into the box in the opening minutes, but Newcastle crowd them out on the edge.
UPDATE: There has been an early goal elsewhere in the 3pm kickoffs, with Everton taking the lead at Burnley through Yerry Mina.
Newcastle are working very hard off the ball, and when they do get a sniff of winning possession they suddenly swarm all over the Reds and then try to get forward in numbers.
CHANCE! The first chance of the game falls to the visitors as Ritchie whips a cross into the middle which is too high for Van Dijk but finds Joselu at the back post. The Newcastle man nods his effort wide, though, when he should have done better.
CHANCE! Liverpool hit back with a big chance of their own as Firmino back-heels the ball into the path of Mane, who in turn cuts his low cross into the box from the left. Shaqiri is there, but doesn't catch his effort right and it bobbles wide of the target.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 1-0 NEWCASTLE (DEJAN LOVREN)
GOAL! Liverpool have the breakthrough, and it is a stunner from Lovren!
A corner is played short for Robertson, who whips his cross into the box. It is a poor clearance from Lascelles as he heads it straight to Lovren, but the Liverpool defender still has a lot to do. From there he lashes a brilliant half-volley right into the top corner, leaving the keeper no chance.
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An early goal is exactly what Liverpool would have wanted in a game like this, with Newcastle now unable to simply set up shop for the full 90 minutes.
UPDATE: It is turning into a good day for Merseyside - Everton are now 2-0 up against Burnley through Lucas Digne. Man City have also responded quickly to that Liverpool opener by getting one of their own through Bernardo Silva.
UPDATE: ...and Spurs make it so that the top three are now all winning with Eriksen's opener against Bournemouth.
CHANCE! Newcastle create another chance from a cross as Ritchie's free kick is met by Muto, but his header is straight at Alisson.
CHANCE! And once again Liverpool respond with one of their own! A long pass over the top finds Mane inside the box, but his chest control just bounces too far in front of him and he is unable to get a toe to it which would poke it past the keeper.
UPDATE: More good news for Liverpool as Leicester have levelled things up against Man City through Marc Albrighton! Everton are running riot at Turf Moor, meanwhile, having added a third through Gylfi Sigurdsson.
SHOT! Ritchie nips in to steal the ball after a sloppy touch from Shaqiri and immediately tries his luck from range, but he fires his effort comfortably off target.
Shaqiri spreads a pass out wide to the left for Robertson, who does well to keep it in play with a sliding volleyed cross to turn it back inside. The keeper collects it, though.
UPDATE: Spurs have doubled their lead against Bournemouth, with Son Heung-min getting their second at Wembley.
Liverpool seem in control of this one, but they will want that second goal just to give them a cushion. There hasn't been too much for Dubravka to do, but Liverpool have often been just one or two better touches away from creating some really good chances.
UPDATE: Manchester United's revival looks like continuing against Huddersfield. They have taken the lead through Matic.
Firmino slides a pass to the overlapping Alexander-Arnold down the right channel and his low cross goes into a dangerous area, but it is just behind Mane in the middle.
That killer touch is just lacking for Liverpool at the moment. They are in control of this one, but they have been unable to turn some really promising positions into further goals so far.
UPDATE: Spurs are having no such trouble; they now lead Bournemouth 3-0 through Lucas Moura.
Less than 10 minutes remaining in this first half now and Benitez will be relatively pleased with how his side have responded to falling behind, but they need to show more going forward in the second half.
Chance for Liverpool to test Dubravka from a set piece here as Mane wins a free kick in a dangerous position. It is too far out to have a go at goal, but the big men are up from the back for the cross...
CHANCE! The initial free kick comes to nothing, but Liverpool recycle the ball and Mane nods it down towards Van Dijk inside the area. Van Dijk is lining up a Lovren-esque volley, but Diame does enough to put it behind for a corner.
SHOT! Henderson is the latest to try his luck from range as the ball drops to the skipper, but he cannot fire his effort on target.
SAVE! Liverpool win a free kick in a good shooting position and Shaqiri fires a fine free kick over the wall and towards the top corner. Dubravka is alert, though, and makes a really good one-handed stop to turn it over the top.
There will be just one minute of added time at the end of this first half.
HALF TIME: LIVERPOOL 1-0 NEWCASTLE
The first half comes to an end at Anfield and it s Liverpool who lead the way at the halfway stage, although they have struggled to build on that despite dominating for long spells.
Newcastle have limited Liverpool's clear chances, although they have struggled to create much of their own and that is what they need to improve on more than anything in the second half.
The only goal of the game so far came via the unlikely source of
Dejan Lovren, but it was a finish that any player in the Premier League would have been happy with.
A poor header from Lascelles saw the ball drop to his feet inside the area, and he lashed his half-volley into the roof of the net.
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Aside from that Liverpool have threatened through Shaqiri, Van Dijk and Mane, but despite getting themselves into a number of good positions, Dubravka hasn't actually had a great deal to do.
The visitors have had a couple of sights of goals themselves through Muto and Joselu, but both failed to make the most of headed opportunities inside the area.
KICKOFF: Newcastle get us back underway for the second half!
PENALTY! Liverpool are awarded a penalty right at the start of the second half as Salah cuts inside from the right and is dragged to ground by Dummett. It is a soft one, but there was definite contact.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 2-0 NEWCASTLE (MOHAMED SALAH, PEN)
GOAL! Mo Salah picks himself up to take the spot kick and slides his finish into the bottom corner past the dive of Dubravka!
There is a long, long way back for Newcastle now. Liverpool have conceded just two home goals in the league all season, and Newcastle now need three in 40 minutes to win this game.
CHANCE! Big chance for Liverpool here as Lascelles gives the ball straight to Shaqiri, who gives it to Mane. The hosts have all three attackers in the box against two Newcastle defenders, but Mane's pass is cut out before it can reach Firmino.
CHANCE! Newcastle have had a few chances to make this one more interesting, and another one goes begging here as Robertson is caught in possession and Joselu glances the resulting cross narrowly wide of the far post.
Here is that penalty decision - a very soft one on second viewing...
Concern for Liverpool here as Henderson goes down, and he will require some treatment.
LIVERPOOL SUB: Change for the home side here as Wijnaldum is replaced by Fabinho.
Jurgen Klopp may be beginning to think about Arsenal and Man City now, but he may want a third goal before taking off the likes of Salah and co in preparation for that one.
UPDATE: Manchester United have doubled their lead against Huddersfield through Pogba, while Spurs are now 4-0 up courtesy of Kane's goal.
SAVE! Salah fires the ball into the feet of Firmino, who turns his man smartly inside the box but then sees his shot/cross saved by Dubravka.
LIVERPOOL SUB: Another change for Liverpool here as Daniel Sturridge replaces Firmino.
Liverpool are still pushing for a third goal as we go into the final 20 minutes here, and they look capable of getting it. Newcastle, on the other hand, do not look like scoring at all right now.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Sean Longstaff makes his Premier League debut here as he replaces Kenedy.
CHANCE! Half a chance for Newcastle as again Ritchie fires an early cross into the box for Hayden, who cannot get his feet sorted at the back post and can only turn it behind for a goal kick.
UPDATE: Everton are now 4-1 up against Burnley, while Spurs have made it 11 goals in their last two games with a fifth against Bournemouth. Man City, meanwhile, are still drawing with Leicester.
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 3-0 NEWCASTLE (XHERDAN SHAQIRI)
GOAL! That is game over once and for all now as Shaqiri adds a third with just over 10 minutes remaining!
The hosts pepper the Newcastle box with crosses and relentless pressure which eventually ends with Henderson sliding a pass to Alexander-Arnold down the right channel. The full-back puts a low pass into the box where Shaqiri is waiting to tap into an empty net from close range.
NEWCASTLE SUB: Another change from Newcastle in the wake of that third goal as Jacob Murphy replaces Ritchie.
LIVERPOOL SUB: A third and final change for Liverpool sees Robertson replaced by Nathaniel Clyne.
UPDATE: More very good news for Liverpool - Man City are now losing against Leicester!
GOAL! LIVERPOOL 4-0 NEWCASTLE (FABINHO)
GOAL! Liverpool have number four to add the icing on the cake as they march on towards what would be a six-point lead at the top!
Salah whips a lovely corner into the box and Fabinho is in front of the keeper to nod it home for his first goal for the club.
CHANCE! Lovren releases Mane in behind with a long pass forward and Mane takes it down really well, but then lashes his finish over the crossbar.
There will be three minutes of added time at the end of this match.
CHANCE! A cross to the back post picks out Sturridge, but he cannot squeeze his header in at the back post.
CHANCE! Newcastle almost get a consolation as Alisson comes flying out of his goal. Longstaff takes the ball around the keeper but has to bide his time as there are lots of defenders in between him and the goal, but by the time he does get his shot away Alisson is back there and makes a save.
FULL TIME: LIVERPOOL 4-0 NEWCASTLE
It is party time inside Anfield. Liverpool win again as Man City to lose to leave Jurgen Klopp's side six points clear at the top of the table at the halfway stage of the season!
Dejan Lovren got things underway for the hosts this afternoon before second-half strikes from Salah, Shaqiri and Fabinho wrapped up an eighth straight win and saw the Reds tighten their grip on a first league title since 1990.
Right, that is all we have time for this afternoon!
Thank you very much for joining Sports Mole for today's Premier League clash as Liverpool march on with an eighth straight win to take a six-point lead at the top of the table. I will leave you with our match report, and be sure to stick around for reaction too.
From me, though, it is goodbye for now!
