Newcastle United and Liverpool have played out a 1-1 draw in this afternoon's Premier League fixture at St James' Park.
Philippe Coutinho fired Liverpool into the lead with a stunning effort from distance, only for Joselu's fortuitous goal getting the home side back on level terms.
The Merseyside giants had chances to win the game in a lacklustre second half, but Newcastle were full value for their point as Rafael Benitez went five games unbeaten against his former club.
Find out how all of the action unfolded in the North-East courtesy of Sports Mole's minute-by-minute updates below.
Hello and welcome to Sports Mole's live coverage of the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool. This fixture is traditionally one of English football's most celebrated and these two teams enter this game looking for a win which will elevate them into the top six. How do the sides line up? Let's find out.
NEWCASTLE UNITED XI: Elliot, Yedlin, Lascelles, Clark, Manquillo, Ritchie, Merino, Shelvey, Atsu, Perez, Joselu
SUBSTITUTES: Darlow, Gamez, Lejeune, Diame, Hayden, Murphy, Gayle
LIVERPOOL XI: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Coutinho, Salah, Mane Sturridge
SUBSTITUTES: Karius, Klavan, Milner, Can, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Firmino, Solanke
Let's start off with the home side, simply because that's a simpler job than sorting out that Liverpool team! Benitez has made just the one alteration from the game with Brighton & Hove Albion, with Jonjo Shelvey returning to face his former club. Isaac Hayden is the man to drop down to the substitutes' bench.
The one alteration means that Aleksandar Mitrovic misses out on featuring in the squad, despite being available again after suspension. The Serbian frontman has performed this season when given a chance by his manager, but he must watch this game from the sidelines.
Joselu and Ayoze Perez retain their place in the team, despite only contributing one goal between them this season, while Matt Ritchie and Christian Atsu remain on the flanks. Mohamed Diame had also been in contention to come into midfield, but he stays on the bench with Shelvey getting the nod.
It is as you were at the back, with Lascelles leading a four-man defence in front of Rob Elliot. Defending has been Newcastle's strong point this season and they will have to be at their best to cope with Liverpool this afternoon.
Let's take a look at Liverpool with Jurgen Klopp opting to make a couple of very notable changes. We will start with Daniel Sturridge, who comes into the team for his third league start of the season. Roberto Firmino is the man to drop out. Surprising choice from Klopp but as we will mention later, it has foundation.
Then we get onto Emre Can, who is normally one of the first names on the teamsheet. Klopp has decided to put the combative midfielder on the bench, with Jordan Henderson and Georginio Wijnaldum - a former Newcastle player - lining up in the centre of the park.
It is as expected at the back, with Simon Mignolet back between the sticks and Joe Gomez getting the nod at right-back. Joel Matip and Dejan Lovren get the nod over Ragnar Klavan, despite Liverpool being so inconsistent in defence.
Liverpool's bench is extremely strong, and many of the replacements have claims to be in the starting lineup. James Milner continues to be a bit-part player this season, with Alberto Moreno keeping his spot at left-back.
RESULT! We have already had one result today, with Arsenal running out 2-0 victors at home to Brighton & Hove Albion. Liverpool will need to win at St James' Park in order to regain their spot above the Gunners. You can click here to read our match report from that game.
LATEST! There's also a match taking place at Goodison Park, where Burnley are currently leading Everton thanks to a goal from Jeff Hendrick. There are about 15 minutes remaining in that one. To catch the closing stages, click here.
It goes without saying that the newly-promoted sides will look to rely on their home form to earn survival and it is no different with Newcastle. However, the North-East giants possess a brilliant recent home record, with 10 wins being recorded from 15 attempts in the league, with just two defeats.
Newcastle also have the opportunity to try to do something they haven't achieved for 10 years, that's win three home matches out of four in the Premier League. West Ham United and Stoke City have already been put to the sword, and now it's time to try to give Liverpool the same treatment.
Benitez holds the warmest of affinities with the Liverpool fans, but their supporters will not want to hear that Liverpool have never got the better of Benitez in four attempts. That record spans with Benitez being at three different clubs in Valencia, Chelsea and Newcastle.
Keeping on the Benitez theme and Jurgen Klopp has recorded one point more than Benitez over the same amount of games in the league. Different periods and different eras, etc, but still, an excellent return from the German, who is sometimes criticised for the amount of points which get dropped in so-called easier fixtures.
Let's turn our attention to Liverpool now, who have put together a terrible defensive record since the start of the season. That's in terms of goals conceded anyway, with 10 goals being let in over three matches. Five of those came in the capitulation at the Etihad Stadium against Manchester City, but they haven't come close to keeping a clean sheet in any of those matches.
Liverpool have also failed to keep a clean sheet in both of their trips in the Champions League, meaning that a shutout has not been recorded on the road since the 4-0 demolition of West Ham United in May.
However, the positive news for Liverpool is that they have won five of their last eight away fixtures on the road, which is a fine return whoever you are. The last of those wins came at Leicester City eight days ago, where the Merseyside giants ran out 3-2 victors.
HEAD TO HEAD! Today's match represents the 174th time in which these two sides have faced each other in a competitive game, with Liverpool claiming 82 wins in comparison to 50 victories for Newcastle.
However, there have been a mixed set of results, with the same result not being recorded consecutively since 2011, a period stretching nine matches.
The last meeting between the two sides came in April 2016, when Newcastle were trying to avoid relegation to the Premier League. The Magpies eventually found themselves in the second tier, but only after they had come back from two goals down to register a 2-2 at Anfield, with Papiss Cisse and Jack Colback getting on the scoresheet. To read back on that game, click here.
As for the most recent fixture to take place at St James' Park, Newcastle ran out 2-0 victors thanks to an own goal from Martin Skrtel and a late effort from Wijnaldum. It means that Newcastle are unbeaten in two games against Liverpool heading into this match. Click here to read back on that encounter.
It has been exactly 29 years ago today since the teams squared off at Anfield in a Division One fixture, where Newcastle claimed an impressive win by a 2-1 scoreline. One of the first Brazilians to make an impact in English football - Mirandinha - got one of the goals.
RESULT! The final whistle has gone at Goodison Park and Burnley have held on to register a notable win away at Everton, who had much regrouping to do during the international break. Jeff Hendrick got the all-important goal in the first half. For some more pre-game viewing, click here.
You are probably questioning why Sturridge starts ahead of Firmino this afternoon but one of the reasons must be the England international's record against Newcastle. Seven goals have been scored in as many games against the Magpies.
PREDICTION! This match is difficult to call. We can all dream of another 4-3 between these clubs but realistically, we are going to have a much tighter contest, maybe with Liverpool squeaking it 2-1. Mohamed Salah and Sadio Mane should relish the big open pitch at St James' Park.
It's time for the two teams to make their way out on Tyneside. The atmosphere is electric, the fans are expectant. It's everything you want from a Premier League fixture.
A reminder on the team news. Just the one change for Newcastle - Liverpool old boy Shelvey comes into the team. As far as the visitors are concerned, Can and Firmino are on the bench, with Wijnaldum and Sturridge getting the nod.
Before we get underway, we will have a minute's applause for former Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd, who passed away earlier this week.
KICKOFF! Newcastle get us underway.
It hasn't taken long for the tackles to start flying in. Can and Hayden - the two most defensive midfielders available to both managers - may be absent, but the ball is still being hotly contested.
Liverpool have just broken forward rapidly through Salah who played a stunning pass through to Mane. He attempted to return the pass but it was just out of the reach of his teammate.
SHOT! This is outrageously ambitious from Sturridge, who attempts to lob Elliot with the goalkeeper barely off his line. The ball never troubles the goal but it wouldn't have resulted in a goal anyway.
SHOT! More ambition, this time from Lascelles, but the centre-back's 25-yard strike is weak and too close to Mignolet.
This match is warming up rather nicely. Liverpool were the better team early doors but Newcastle have eased into a rhythm and are now troubling the visitors down the flanks.
Newcastle have made Liverpool do a lot of chasing over the past few minutes. The ball always seems to end up at the feet of Shelvey who promptly starts an attack.
CHANCE! Another period of play starts with Shelvey and he finds Ritchie on the edge of the box. the Scot tries to curl the ball into the far corner, but Mignolet makes an easy save.
This looked a nasty one for Manquillo. He challenge for a high ball with Gomez but came off worse from a clash of heads. He's back up but walking a bit gingerly.
SHOT! Sturridge sees a shot blocked by Lascelles and he is claiming handball. The ball did strike the defender's arm after he had made contact with his leg, but it was completely unintentional.
Gomez drills in a cross towards the back post for Mane, but the delivery had too much pace on it and Mane volleyed the ball into the side-netting.
Salah's pace is obviously a benefit to him but sometimes, it hinders his ability to control the ball and that is what happened here. He broke clear of the defence but a covering defender came back to make the interception after he hit the ball too far in front of him.
Newcastle try to hit back through Atsu and Ritchie, but the Scot's cross is too close to Mignolet. There's been a lot of huff and puff, but very little end product so far.
CHANCES! How haven't Liverpool scored?! Wijnaldum volleys against the post after meeting a corner at the near post and after a goalmouth scramble, Lovren sees a shot cleared off the line! Klopp looks frustrated.
Liverpool are now seeing more of the ball but Newcastle are doing a really good job of winning it back. Shelvey is their best player by a mile this afternoon.
Even though we remain goalless, you can see how well Benitez has got Newcastle firing at St James' Park. They have found the balance between setting the tempo and defending when they need to.
GOAL! Newcastle United 0-1 Liverpool (Philippe Coutinho)
Meow. Coutinho scores a quite incredible goal. The Brazilian shifted the ball onto his right foot before finding the near top corner from 25 yards out. It's unstoppable.
That goal has the potential to take the stuffing out of Newcastle and a misplaced pass from Shelvey almost lets in Liverpool again. Shelvey was arguably at fault for failing to block Coutinho's shot two minutes ago.
SHOT! Liverpool sense a second. Coutinho gets another chance to shoot from distance, but on this occasion, he drives the ball well over the crossbar.
GOAL! Newcastle United 1-1 Liverpool (Joselu)
Just like that, it's 1-1. A through-ball from Shelvey splits the Liverpool defence and Joselu is clear. Matip gets back but he kicks the ball against the forward and the ball ricochets into the corner of the net!
Liverpool are soon back on the offensive and win a free kick. Salah flicks the ball into the box but Lascalles gets across to make a timely header. This game has intensified 10-fold. We don't want half time.
Newcastle have started to be pressed into their own half. There's not one player in Liverpool's share of the pitch. The momentum was with the Magpies but they aren't building on that.
Coutinho's radar has gone off since his goal. The playmaker either just attempted a cross or a shot but whatever it was supposed to be, it ends up behind Elliot's goal.
There will be two minutes of added-on time.
HALF TIME: Newcastle United 1-1 Liverpool
The half-time whistle goes at St James' Park and the two teams go into the break on level terms. Coutinho's was a sparkling strike, but Joselu's was calamitous. In all fairness, Newcastle deserve to have equalised and it has come in true Liverpool fashion. There's all to play for in the second half.
It took a while for the game to get going but when it did, it developed into an end-to-end battle. Liverpool had previously gone close through Wijnaldum and Lovren, but Coutinho's goal came out of the blue. The Brazilian has developed a knack of scoring first-half goals in recent games.
Newcastle's goal was the pure opposite. It was Sunday League stuff, with Joselu racing clear of the two centre-backs before the slow defender got back and made a hash of a tackle. Until matters such as that are addressed, Liverpool are never going to improve.
Based on the first half, there are still plenty more goals in this game. Neither side have been at their best in the first half, but neither have either defence. Liverpool have had more shots and possession, but Newcastle are using the ball more effectively.
Both teams have made their way back out - Liverpool much quicker than Newcastle. There have been no changes.
Liverpool have got us back underway.
Newcastle have wasted little time in getting onto the front foot. Shelvey's 30-yard volley went nowhere and Ritchie's cross was too close to Mignolet. Back up the other end, Wijnaldum has sent a header well off target.
CHANCES! Clark completely slices his clearance and it lets in Sturridge, who fires straight at Elliot. The rebound falls to Salah, who volleys over the crossbar. Make no mistake about it - it should be 2-1.
Newcastle are beginning to come under severe pressure. They aren't helping themselves by allowing Liverpool to gain territorial advantage.
Joselu has just taken a sore one to the ribs. It's accidental but the evidence is there under his shirt. However, once he realises he isn't getting a foul, he jumps straight back up! Diabolical.
BOOKING! Merino is harshly adjudged to have fouled Salah on the edge of the penalty area and not only that, Perez is booked for kicking the ball away.
Coutinho takes the resulting free kick and sends it straight into the wall. The ball returns for Sturridge, but he sends an overhead kick well off target.
BOOKING! Gomez goes into the book for what is deemed a high challenge on Atsu. There's little intent but it's a yellow card.
Tackles are flying in from everywhere now, and most of them are conceding free kicks. The referee hasn't lost control of the game, it's more the players are getting too embroiled in the physical side of the game.
The rain is absolutely lashing it down at St James' Park but it is only adding to the spectacle. It's a fiercely-competitive game, but I expect changes to be on the way.
I say a spectacle, but the quality of the game has definitely dropped down a level. This game is suiting Newcastle more than it is Liverpool. It would be a smart decision to introduce Emre Can.
Henderson has been dishing it out a bit during this second half but Perez has just tried to con the referee into sending him off. The pair crossed paths off the ball and Perez went down holding his face. There was no contact.
There's very little happening in the match itself but that's about to change. Benitez and Klopp have seen enough.
SUBSTITUTIONS! For Liverpool, Firmino and Solanke are replacing Mane and Sturridge. For Newcastle, Hayden is being introduced for Merino.
Liverpool have extra energy in attack now and it leads to an immediate attack. Solanke and Coutinho do well in the build-up but Moreno fires a pass across the six-yard box and out of play. The left-back needs to float the ball into the back post.
CHANCE! From a corner, Lovren heads towards goal and Matip only has to beat Shelvey in the air. However, the centre-back doesn't do enough and Shelvey makes a brave interception.
SUBSTITUTION! A second change for Newcastle sees Gayle replace goalscorer Joselu.
Newcastle are performing like they will be happy with a point from this game now. They are far too deep but still managing to nullify Liverpool's threat in and around the box. Just the 10 minutes to go.
There still only looks one winner and that is Liverpool. Coutinho does well to win a corner but before that, there will be another switch.
SUBSTITUTION! A final Liverpool change sees Oxlade-Chamberlain take the place of Salah.
CHANCE! This is effectively the first real chance in half an hour. An inswinging cross finds the head of Solanke, but his near-post header goes wide of the target.
This game has started to peter out to a certain degree. Liverpool are still pressing but the quality is lacking. Perez just tried a speculative effort at the other end but his volley never threatened Mignolet's goal.
CHANCE! Was that the chance? The ball looks out when Coutinho crosses from the left but his delivery finds Oxlade-Chamberlain who, under pressure, headed over the crossbar from 10 yards.
SUBSTITUTION! Mohamed Diame is being introduced for Perez, who looks exhausted. There will be three minutes of added-on time.
CHANCE! Diame almost wins it for Newcastle. The ball fell for him inside the box from a corner, but a deflection took the sting out of his shot and Mignolet was able to claim.
FULL TIME: Newcastle United 1-1 Liverpool
The full-time whistle goes at St James' Park and Newcastle and Liverpool have played out a 1-1 draw. Liverpool will feel that they deserved to collect the three points but once again, they paid the price for not taking chances and making mistakes at the back. Newcastle and Benitez will be delighted with a point.
That will be all from Sports Mole for this game. Thank you for joining us this afternoon for what has been an action-packed seven-and-a-half hours!
If you would like to check out our match report from this game, click here. Goodbye for now.
Written by
Darren Plant
Darren Plant
