Jurgen Klopp says Darwin Nunez has a chance of being fit to face Real Madrid on Tuesday, having suffered a knock during Liverpool's win at Newcastle United on Saturday.

Nunez scored his sixth Premier League goal of the season as Liverpool sealed a 2-0 victory at St James' Park, bringing down Trent Alexander-Arnold's long pass before firing home to open the scoring.

However, the Uruguay international was forced out of the contest after an hour, when a collision with Kieran Trippier left him holding his right shoulder.

Asked about the prospect of Nunez recovering to face Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League last-16 clash, Klopp told reporters: "There's a chance. 

"We have to see how he can deal with the pain, and when we know that, we'll make a decision."

Nunez has recorded seven goal contributions (five goals, two assists) in his 13 league starts for Liverpool, while he also hit the net three times in their Champions League group-stage campaign.

While Liverpool hope they can rely on Nunez to cause problems for Madrid, they will have to be wary of the threat posed by Vinicius Junior at the other end.

Vinicius scored the winner as Madrid beat the Reds in last May's Champions League final in Paris, and his tally of 24 goal involvements this term (16 goals, eight assists) is more than any other Blancos player.

Asked whether Liverpool have devised a particular plan to stop the Brazilian, Klopp said: "You always have to try to deny passes to them. 

"But the problem we have is that if you can defend Vinicius properly, they have [Karim] Benzema. If you defend him properly as well, they have Rodrygo or whoever.

"If you defend all three properly, Toni Kroos fires the ball from 25 yards into the corner, Luka Modric has an idea, or [Aurelien] Tchouameni picks up the ball and fires it from 25 yards.

"That's how it is with world-class teams, they have world-class players and you have to defend them collectively, that's what we will try to do."

Jurgen Klopp hopes Liverpool have found their feet at the ideal time ahead of their Champions League clash with Real Madrid, as the Reds look to avenge the "torture" of last year's final defeat.

Having failed to win any of their first four league games of 2023, Liverpool have recorded morale-boosting 2-0 wins against Everton and Newcastle United ahead of their return to European action on Tuesday.

While things are looking up for Liverpool in the Premier League, they have failed to win any of their last six matches against Madrid (D1 L5), including a 1-0 defeat in last year's Champions League final in Paris.

Klopp is under no illusions as to the threat the 14-time European champions will pose at Anfield, but believes Liverpool have timed their upturn well.

"It's one of the biggest games in the world, and with the recent history with one of us being in the final, grinding results out… it will be a top football game," Klopp said on Monday.

"I'm really happy we can play it now. Four weeks ago, it would have been different. Life is all about timing and maybe we found our feet right in time for this game. 

"We have these two results and hopefully we can build on that, and we need to. We need to play two super games to get through, but I have no problem with that. 

"If you don't play your best, you don't have a chance. Real Madrid don't have to play their best and they still have a chance, and that's the difference."

Vinicius Junior's second-half goal guided Madrid to victory against Liverpool at the Stade de France at the end of last season, in a match which was marred by heavy-handed policing resulting in supporters being tear-gassed and a delayed kick-off.

"Different things happened to us – and to me – with Real Madrid," he said. "They're one of the biggest, most successful clubs in the world and won this competition I don't know how many times. 

"We played this final in Paris and I didn't watch it back since then, until this weekend. I realised why it didn't watch it back, it was proper torture.

"We played a good game and could have won the game. You could see in this game how experienced Madrid are, how little they are fussed when the other team has chances.

"This is the competition and that's what you can learn from them. These are the same clubs, but different teams, different times. There's a history – in the last few years one of us was always in the final, that's how it feels."

Tuesday's game will represent Madrid's fourth trip to Anfield for a Champions League fixture. Having been thrashed 4-0 on their first visit in March 2009, Los Blancos have gone unbeaten in the last two without conceding a goal (W1 D1).

Real Madrid will be without key midfielders Toni Kroos and Aurlien Tchouameni for their trip to Liverpool but Karim Benzema has made Los Blancos' squad.

Benzema, last year's Ballon d'Or winner, has had an injury hit campaign and missed Saturday's win over Osasuna.

Yet the 35-year-old, who has scored 14 goals this season, returned to training ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 clash at Anfield and has subsequently been named in Carlo Ancelotti's travelling party.

However, Madrid will not be able to call on Kroos or Tchouameni.

The injured duo did not play against Osasuna and were not included in Madrid's squad, which was confirmed on Monday.

Ancelotti will be hoping Kroos and Tchouameni return to fitness in time to face city rivals Atletico Madrid on Saturday in LaLiga, with a Copa del Rey Classico against Barcelona following on March 2.

Madrid beat Liverpool 1-0 in last season's Champions League final, a match that was overshadowed by policing issues outside of the Stade de France.

Vinicius Junior scored the only goal as Thibaut Courtois turned in a fine display to help Madrid claim a 14th European crown.

The second leg of the last-16 tie will take place at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 15.

Loris Karius is set for an improbable Newcastle United debut in the EFL Cup final, but he has the backing of former manager Jurgen Klopp, who says this opportunity "is what he was working for".

Karius appears likely to start for Newcastle against Manchester United at Wembley next week in the club's first major final in 24 years.

The former Liverpool goalkeeper is yet to appear for the Magpies and has only made the bench eight times in all competitions since signing back in September.

But Nick Pope was sent off against Liverpool on Saturday and deputy Martin Dubravka is cup-tied after spending the first half of the season out on loan – at opponents Man United.

Karl Darlow was loaned out in January, leaving only Karius and Mark Gillespie.

Karius was released by Liverpool at the end of last season, having failed to make Klopp's first-team squad. His final appearance for the Reds was in the 2018 Champions League final when he sustained a concussion before making two costly errors.

But Karius has Klopp's backing now as the Liverpool boss said: "You can rely on him, no doubt about that.

"He's a great goalie. That's why Newcastle signed him. Of course, it's unlucky for Nick Pope in that moment, really unlucky."

Asked if this was a chance for Karius to move on from the final loss to Real Madrid, Klopp replied: "Absolutely. That is what he was working for, definitely, all the time."

Newcastle coach Eddie Howe did not commit to Karius playing, saying his team would "see what our options are", but he also outlined the German's "experience of the big games", having kept six clean sheets in Liverpool's run to that final.

"That was the reason for taking his profile really," Howe said. "He has the experience of the big games. I've got no doubt or issue over his ability to do that. He's continued to improve and impress in training."

Newcastle are fourth in the Premier League but have not won since reaching the EFL Cup final, and their coach is relieved there will be no more distractions now.

"We're pleased the final's here. I didn't want the wait to be any longer," Howe said. "I want to get the game, prepare well for the game and try to win the game.

"As much as you don't want to talk about it, it's been the talk of everybody. I wouldn't criticise the players in terms of focusing on the final ahead of the Premier League, but the talk of it has been there.

"I'm pleased to get the game and play and prepare this week. I think we're ready for it."

Marcus Rashford is in talks over an extension on his Manchester United contract, which currently expires in mid-2024.

Rashford has scored 22 goals in all competitions this season, including a run of 14 strikes in 16 games.

Last off-season, United triggered a one-year option to prevent him becoming a free agent in June but interest in Rashford is ramping up amid his hot form.

TOP STORY – MAN UTD PLACE £120M PRICE ON RASHFORD

Manchester United have slapped a bumper £120 million price tag on in-form forward Marcus Rashford to ward off interest, claims The Daily Star.

Rashford, who is in the form of his life, has been the subject of reported interest from Paris Saint-Germain and Real Madrid.

Barcelona are also monitoring Rashford according to the report, with United are desperate to retain his services amid talk of a change of ownership at Old Trafford.

ROUND-UP

– Chelsea and Bayern Munich are among the clubs lining up to sign 19-year-old Atalanta defender Giorgio Scalvini who is valued at €40m according to Football Italia.

– Manchester City are set to reward Nathan Ake with a new contract offer, which represents a 50 per cent pay rise, according to the Daily Star. The Dutchman's weekly wages will rise from £80,000 to £120,000.

– Juventus will rival Liverpool in trying to sign Chelsea midfielder Mason Mount in the off-season, claims CalciomercatoWeb.

– Fichajes reports Tottenham are looking to sign Real Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger after this season.

– Newcastle United want to bolster their ranks by luring Juventus midfielder Adrien Rabiot, according to Fichajes. Rabiot's contract expires next season.

– Football Insider reports Liverpool are tracking 19-year-old Independiente defender Kevin Mantilla who impressed during the recent Under-20 South American Under-20 Championship with Colombia. The Reds have held preliminary talks with Mantilla.

Jurgen Klopp declared Liverpool's 2-0 win at Newcastle United a "massive result" but was left concerned about a shoulder injury suffered by Darwin Nunez.

The Uruguayan striker gave Liverpool the lead after 10 minutes at St James' Park, with Cody Gakpo doubling it soon after.

Nick Pope's red card in the 22nd minute for handling the ball outside his penalty area to deny Mohamed Salah a run on goal effectively ended it as a contest, though Newcastle were still able to fashion some chances to keep the visitors honest.

Speaking to Sky Sports after his team's second league win in six days, Klopp said: "Massive result, clean sheet, two wonderful goals, and space for improvement, obviously.

"Wonderful goals, the red card would have been a wonderful goal as well probably. If Pope doesn't get his hands on it, then Mo probably would have scored. I would have taken that [over the red card] to be honest.

"Against 10 men we didn't react particularly well, in that moment we still had momentum and it was difficult to get back, and Newcastle had nothing to lose anymore, we could see that.

"Top team, top character, they threw everything on the pitch and we gave them too many set pieces, and with set pieces it is not important how many players you have on the pitch.

"If we had scored a third, I think that would have been it, but we didn't so it was exciting until the end."

Nunez was substituted after an hour following a clash with Kieran Trippier that left him holding his shoulder, which could potentially see him miss Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg against Real Madrid.

"The most negative thing was that Darwin had to go off," Klopp said. "He would have come off anyway but then he had something with his shoulder and so we'll have to see how serious that is, hopefully not too much."

The win moves Liverpool up to eighth in the Premier League, just six points off Newcastle in fourth, and Klopp is hopeful this victory could remind the Reds what they are capable of after also beating rivals Everton this week.

"You need results. That's how it is," he continued. "The boys need to feel it as well, that if you do this and that then you have a good chance to be on the right side of the result... In the end I am really happy that we got over the line because so many things have happened to us this season, this time nothing really happened.

"We were not perfect but good enough to win the game and that's what we did."

Virgil van Dijk suggested Liverpool's win over Newcastle United could mark a turning point in the Reds' season.

The Magpies had not lost a Premier League game at St James' Park since April last year – coincidentally also against Liverpool – but came unstuck on Saturday.

Darwin Nunez's clinical strike and Cody Gakpo's close-range finish had Liverpool 2-0 up early on, and Nick Pope's red card for handling the ball outside his area in the 22nd minute seemingly doomed Newcastle.

Eddie Howe's side put up a good fight and hit the crossbar twice, but Liverpool did enough to take the points as they completed a double over their hosts.

Liverpool's win followed on from Monday's Merseyside derby victory over Everton and means they will be just three points behind fourth-placed Newcastle if they win their game in hand next weekend.

Asked if it was a significant result for the Reds, Van Dijk told Sky Sports: "Let's hope so.

"We have had results in the season already where we felt like now is the time to kick on, but this feels a little bit different.

"I think coming away from the big win against Everton, it was important for us to keep going, find a way to win, show your intensity, particularly in the beginning.

"The red card changed the game a little bit for them, also for us, and we could've done better.

"But to win here…there's a reason we are the only team so far this season that has beaten them [in the Premier League], so I'm very proud of the boys."

Trent Alexander-Arnold concurred with his team-mate, the right-back adamant Liverpool needed to follow up the derby victory with another positive result if beating Everton was to mean anything.

"It's massive for us. This was a big one," the England international added.

"We got our win against Everton, I think that was massive as well, but it wouldn't have meant anything if we'd not come here and backed it up with another win.

"That's what we came to do. They're a tough side to beat, very tough, but we picked them apart with two good goals, then obviously the red card settles the game down for us, makes it even harder for them.

"It was tough, it's a tough place to come, not many teams win here, so we are delighted to take the three points home."

Liverpool breathed life into their top-four hopes with a 2-0 win at fourth-placed Newcastle United, who had Nick Pope sent off to rule him out of the EFL Cup final.

Newcastle had only lost once – to the Reds last April – at St James' Park in the league over the past 12 months, but they came unstuck on Saturday thanks to the visitors' clinical finishing.

Darwin Nunez's first Premier League goal since November edged Liverpool ahead before Cody Gakpo netted for the second game running, but it was not until Nick Pope's dismissal in the 22nd minute that Newcastle looked doomed.

Even then, Eddie Howe's men coped well with the disadvantage and had chances to reduce the arrears, but the crossbar and Alisson kept them at bay as Liverpool moved to within six points of the top four.

Newcastle began brightly but were trailing in the 10th minute, Nunez beating Pope after exquisitely bringing down Trent Alexander-Arnold's pass.

It was 2-0 soon after.

Another divine pass, this time from Mohamed Salah, sliced open Newcastle's defence to find Gakpo, who stabbed home under Pope.

Things quickly got even worse for Newcastle as Pope rushed out of his box and fell on the ball hands first, earning him a straight red.

Newcastle responded well, almost pulling one back twice as Allan Saint-Maximin and Dan Burn both hit the bar.

But Liverpool reached the break unscathed, and they gave little away in the second half.

Callum Wilson should have halved the deficit late on, however, failing to beat Alisson when one-on-one as the Brazilian preserved his clean sheet.

Jurgen Klopp does not think UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin should resign over the shambolic staging of last season's Champions League final.

However, the Liverpool manager suggested the damning review of the Stade de France showpiece might be a resigning matter for someone senior involved in planning the event.

UEFA was found "primarily responsible" for the "near-miss" at the Paris final, where "the parallels between Hillsborough 1989 and Paris 2022" were described in an independent review as "palpable".

The review, commissioned by UEFA, was released on Monday after an investigation into events surrounding the May 28 fixture in the French capital. It concluded UEFA and French authorities were wrong to blame thousands of Liverpool supporters with "fake tickets" for the concerning scenes outside the stadium turnstiles.

French police were criticised for their treatment of fans, which included using tear gas, while the review stated it was "remarkable that no one lost their life".

Klopp suggested the venue was badly chosen in the first instance.

The Reds boss was asked about the review's outcome, which came in a week that saw it confirmed Ceferin would stand unopposed for another stint in the UEFA presidency.

Regarding whether Ceferin should quit, Klopp said: "No. I'm not sure who made the decision, to be honest. I'm the boss of some people as well, and on a lot of things I'm not 100 per cent on the subject. I get information from different people, and then you make a decision. The better the information you get, the better the decisions are.

“I don't think Mr Ceferin made the decision, but somebody put all the papers together saying what the best place is. I can't see him flying to Paris or Rome or Berlin and saying: 'Oh, it's not that good.' There are other people who bring that together. Maybe one of them should have a think if there is not a better place for them in another job, I don't know.

"But I think really Paris was the worst possible [place] available in that specific area on that day. It's not a stadium that is used to it every week, every two weeks, like a lot of big stadiums in Europe are."

Klopp added: "From the first moment, I thought it wasn't a good idea [to play the game in Paris].

"Some people who work there should have done better. Everybody who was there knows the people who worked there didn't know 100 per cent what exactly they are doing."

Liverpool are reportedly keeping a close eye on Chelsea's Mason Mount as negotiations for a contract extension continue to stall.

Mount, 24, has been with Chelsea since he was six years old, racking up 190 appearances and 33 goals for the club since breaking into the first team for the 2019-20 season.

An England regular with 36 international caps, Mount is a crucial part of Chelsea's midfield options, although his minutes have been far less secure under Graham Potter than previous managers.

Of his 19 Premier League starts this campaign, Mount has been subbed off 12 times, and the club are reportedly hesitant to meet his contract demands.

TOP STORY – LIVERPOOL MONITOR MOUNT AS HIS CONTRACT WINDS DOWN

Mount only has one more season remaining on his deal before he will be able to leave on a free transfer, and the Daily Mail is reporting Liverpool are hovering for an opportunity to pry him away.

The report claims Mount is aiming to triple his current £80,000-per-week wages, which would bring him in line with recent transfer acquisitions, as well as 23-year-old team-mate Reece James, who was rewarded with a £250,000-per-week deal in September.

If Chelsea are not able to lock up their talented midfielder by the end of the season, they will likely be forced into a sale.

ROUND-UP

– According to 90min, Manchester City have renewed their interest in 24-year-old West Ham midfielder Declan Rice as they plan a midfield rebuild.

– The Evening Standard is reporting Chelsea and Juventus have mutual interest in converting Denis Zakaria's loan move into a permanent deal, with an optional buy-clause set at £27m (€30m).

– Aston Villa will try to sign 25-year-old Roma striker Tammy Abraham at the end of the season, who is believed to be valued around £40m (€44m), per 90min.

– Footmercato is reporting Paris Saint-Germain have been in contact with Roma boss Jose Mourinho about potentially taking over from Christophe Galtier, although the French giants prefer Zinedine Zidane.

Eddie Howe has detailed how he "absolutely detests" losing matches – something Newcastle United have not done in the Premier League since August's trip to Liverpool.

But ahead of the reverse fixture at St James' Park on Saturday, Howe's focus is on winning, rather than preserving a record unbeaten run.

Newcastle have suffered only a sole defeat in the league this season – the fewest in the division – and that loss came in particularly painful circumstances as Liverpool's Fabio Carvalho scored a 98th-minute winner at Anfield.

Since then, the Magpies are unbeaten in 17 in the league, a sequence that has tied their best ever streak, set in the Championship in 2010.

Newcastle have also advanced to the EFL Cup final, but they suffered an upset in the FA Cup, losing to Sheffield Wednesday to remind Howe just how much he hates that feeling.

Asked if the previous Liverpool match had aided his team, the Newcastle boss replied: "Possibly it may have helped us in some strange way. You go through that experience and you're desperate not to feel that again.

"Certainly the Sheffield Wednesday game was another example.

"I don't need any reminding of how painful losing is – I did most of that in my playing career, and I hated that feeling. I tried to do everything I could to not feel that going into the next game.

"As a manager, it's probably 10 times worse, maybe 100 times worse. I hated it as a player, and I absolutely detest it as a manager.

"You're preparing and working to try to stay away from that feeling for as long as possible."

The length of that unbeaten run in the Premier League would have kept Howe happy then, but Newcastle have drawn eight of those 17 matches, ending remote hopes of a title challenge and putting them under pressure in the Champions League chase.

While another draw against Liverpool – their sixth in seven and fourth in a row – would see Howe's players make history with the outright record, he only wants victory.

"To go on that kind of unbeaten run in this league is so tough, because it only takes one bad 10 minutes and that record is gone," Howe said, before adding: "I don't want the players to become focused on it, though.

"That can be the danger with unbeaten runs sometimes – it becomes about staying unbeaten, rather than winning the game.

"That's not in my mindset at all. Tomorrow, we go out to try to win, and all our focus has to be on that."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp says Virgil van Dijk "looks absolutely ready" to make his return from injury against Newcastle United this weekend.

Netherlands international Van Dijk has not played for Liverpool since sustaining a hamstring injury during the 3-1 loss to Brentford on January 2.

The 31-year-old's injury proved to be worse than initially feared, and he spent six weeks out of action prior to returning to the substitutes' bench for Monday's 2-0 win over Everton.

Having been an unused substitute in the Merseyside derby, Klopp is ready to use Van Dijk against Newcastle after stepping up his recovery on the training ground this week.

Asked if he is in contention to start Saturday's game at St James' Park, Klopp said: "I think so. Yesterday he looked absolutely ready. 

"I think [on Friday] he will look the same, and we will then make a decision."

Van Dijk's return is a major boost for Liverpool, who are without fellow centre-back Ibrahima Konate ahead of Tuesday's Champions League last-16 first leg with Real Madrid.

Luis Diaz and Thiago Alcantara remain sidelined for Liverpool, while Klopp confirmed young defender Calvin Ramsay is out for the season after undergoing surgery.

"Even if he could come back a bit earlier, it makes no sense," Klopp said of highly rated Ramsay, who has made two senior appearances since joining from Aberdeen.

"We've had to build him up physically, so he can have a new start [next season] when we go again. He's a great talent, a real talent who's had the most unlucky start possible."

Liverpool also welcomed Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota back from injury earlier this week to bolster their options ahead of travelling to Newcastle in a big Premier League game.

The Reds can close the gap on their fourth-placed opponents to six points with a game in hand should they win.

However, Newcastle have lost just once in the league all season – to a 98th-minute Liverpool goal in August's reverse fixture – and boast the best defensive record in the division.

"This is a massive game. If you want to reach something this season, we have to chase everybody, especially those who are ahead of us in the table," Klopp said.

"It will never be easy, but we have to try. It'll be tough; Newcastle are the best defence in the league, lost just once to us, we needed a late goal. 

"They are very consistent and that is the first step to success.

"Eddie Howe has done an exceptional job, absolutely exceptional. The financial possibilities they have, or will have, are exceptional, but it is not because of that, not at all. 

"He arrived in a difficult situation, they stayed comfortably in the league and now the team is unrecognisable. He's turned them around, and they are a proper threat."

Karim Benzema would not have played if Real Madrid's Champions League round-of-16 first leg with Liverpool was on Saturday, says head coach Carlo Ancelotti.

Ancelotti ruled out Benzema from featuring at Osasuna in LaLiga this weekend as Madrid look to chase down leaders Barcelona, who currently hold an eight-point lead.

Benzema missed the World Cup with France with a thigh injury, and he was also absent for Madrid's league defeat to Real Mallorca and the Club World Cup semi-final victory over Al Ahly with a muscular issue.

The Ballon d'Or winner did then play and score in the Club World Cup final against Al Hilal and netted twice against Elche in midweek.

Madrid appear to be managing Benzema with a focus on big matches, but Ancelotti insisted on Friday he would not have been able to call on the striker the following day regardless of the opposition.

The European champions visit Liverpool in their next match on Tuesday.

"If the match were against Liverpool tomorrow, I wouldn't play him either," Ancelotti told reporters. "We prefer not to risk him.

"He's a bit tired, like many players, it's true, but he's coming back from an injury, so it's different.

"We hope he will be there by Tuesday."

Ancelotti acknowledged Benzema's advancing age contributes to the requirement for extra precautions to be taken to ensure he is fit and available at the business end of the campaign.

"After the World Cup, he has done very well," the Madrid boss added. "He has scored in almost every game.

"He is not injured. We simply prefer, due to his age, to give him rest. And that way he will be well for the rest of the season."

Madrid bounced back from the 1-0 loss at Mallorca with a 4-0 thrashing of Elche, but with Barcelona winning 11 of their past 12 league matches, Ancelotti knows his team must carry on taking maximum points to keep up with the rampant pace Xavi's men are setting at the summit.

"The goal is to get [the gap] to five points for the moment," Ancelotti explained. "The calendar is demanding, with important matches, and we want to keep the good feeling.

"We're good, but we can improve even more, and we're going for it. In football, you can go from the best to the worst in no time, and vice versa."

"Is there any history between Newcastle and Liverpool that I don't know about? The atmosphere was like there was something that happened in the past."

Jurgen Klopp's question was understandable at the end of an enthralling 3-2 Liverpool win at St James' Park back in 2019.

A raucous Tyneside atmosphere had been ramped up further by controversy on the pitch and fights off it, with the presence of Liverpool fans in the Newcastle United sections – hoping to see their side take another step towards Premier League glory – playing its part.

Of course, when Newcastle were going for the title in the 1990s, Liverpool tried and succeeded to spoil the party with a pair of epic 4-3 Anfield wins, even if that meant helping rivals Manchester United to twice take top spot.

Newcastle's class of 2019 had similarly given their all – but not because it was Liverpool, with Rafael Benitez's men and their supporters relieved not to be relegated rather than worrying about settling scores.

For Newcastle, there is rather more riding on the outcome of Liverpool's visit this weekend for another Saturday night match. This one, Klopp might note, will have a little more history.

Liverpool are the only team to have beaten Newcastle in the Premier League this season, and that reverse fixture, back in August, was another hot-tempered affair.

A marginal offside call denied Alexander Isak a second goal, before Liverpool rallied to win with a 98th-minute winner having been repeatedly frustrated by the Newcastle time-wasting that led to the game dragging on so long.

It felt like a big moment for Liverpool as they went ahead of Newcastle with just their second victory in five matches at the start of the campaign. Meanwhile, the visiting players were booed off the pitch.

Heading into the return match, however, Liverpool are back below Newcastle. In fact, they are nine points below this weekend's hosts – the largest margin in the Magpies' favour ahead of a fixture between the two sides in the Premier League era. This is the first time since 1995-96, with that Stan Collymore winner, that Newcastle have led Liverpool going into both home and away meetings.

As Liverpool's season went on a downward spiral almost from the moment Fabio Carvalho broke Geordie hearts with his best Collymore impression, Newcastle – then missing a number of key men – were emboldened by the furious reaction of the Anfield crowd.

"My ideal is that we're booed off every week when we go to away grounds, because you don't want to be popular," Eddie Howe said afterwards ahead of a 17-match unbeaten league run, Newcastle's joint-longest in their history.

"We're here to win, we're here to compete," Howe added, "and we'll do whatever it takes to try to win."

Except Newcastle's undefeated streak has included only nine wins, topped up by eight draws – including five in their past six and three in a row.

Progress to the EFL Cup final has maintained Newcastle's momentum, but frustration has just started to fester since the semi-final, which was followed by stalemates against strugglers West Ham and Bournemouth that saw the Magpies fall to fourth.

While Newcastle may have a nine-point cushion to Liverpool, they equally could be level on points with the Reds by the time they play again in the league if Saturday's result goes against them.

Manchester City, winners at Arsenal in midweek, have shown how quickly such a gap can vanish.

The four-match winning run Liverpool would require for such a rapid turnaround – including Monday's defeat of Everton – seemed highly unlikely at the start of the week, but such a streak has proven very much within their capabilities in the past.

Liverpool won four in a row in the Premier League as recently as December, their 12th sequence of four or more consecutive victories under Klopp. Those include 17- and 18-match winning runs.

That is the threat Newcastle must attempt to guard against – along with challenges from Tottenham, Brighton and Hove Albion and the rest of the chasing pack.

As for Arsenal on Wednesday, a draw might well suit Howe's men. The form book suggests that result is likely, too, but an atmosphere akin to that of four years ago will not allow Newcastle to play conservatively.

They have the final next, then a trip to City. Liverpool face Real Madrid on Tuesday and host Manchester United at the start of next month.

A season-defining stretch for both teams might itself be defined first by what happens at St James' Park.

Neymar's interest in a move to the Premier League is gaining momentum, with Manchester City, Manchester United and Liverpool among the teams alerted about his potential availability.

The 31-year-old star had reportedly come up in a recent conversation between Chelsea owner Todd Boehly and Paris Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi, and with a deal not being ruled out, Neymar's team have contacted more of England's top sides.

Neymar is tied for the Ligue 1 assist lead with 10, while he has 12 goals in 19 appearances.

Now in his sixth season in France since arriving for a world-record €222million fee, and on the brink of another disappointing Champions League exit, Brazil's joint all-time leading scorer is eyeing a new challenge.

TOP STORY – NEYMAR'S TEAM GAUGES THE INTEREST OF TOP PREMIER LEAGUE CLUBS

According to 90min, Neymar's "intermediaries are believed to have spoken with Chelsea, Liverpool, City, United, and Newcastle United" – informing the clubs of his desire for a Premier League transfer.

The report claims Paris Saint-Germain are not desperate to part ways with Neymar, but would be open to facilitating a deal.

Chelsea owner Boehly is believed to be "intrigued" about the potential for such a high-profile signing, although it remains to be seen who else would be willing to meet what is expected to be an enormous contract demand.

ROUND-UP

– ESPN is reporting Liverpool, City and United are closely monitoring Mason Mount, who only has one more season on his current Chelsea contract, and is hesitant about signing the kind of long-term deals Chelsea have been handing out.

– Newcastle, Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain and City all want 22-year-old Napoli winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, but the Serie A leaders have no interest in selling, and are in the process of rewarding the Georgian with a big new contract, per 90min.

– According to Tuttosport, Real Madrid, Barcelona, City and Chelsea are keeping an eye on 17-year-old Velez prospect Gianluca Prestianni, who is the third-youngest debutant in the history of Argentina's top flight behind Diego Maradona and Sergio Aguero.

– Calciomercato is reporting Bayern Munich will continue their pursuit of Tottenham striker Harry Kane, but are unwilling to meet their £100m (€112m) valuation. 

– Arsenal have sent scouts to watch 17-year-old Athletico Paranaense forward Vitor Roque, who is reportedly valued at over £50m, per CaughtOffside.