- Mohamed Salah scores 32nd goal of the season to put Liverpool ahead.
- Liverpool can go second in the Premier League with a win over Newcastle.
- The Magpies have lost one of their last eight but 10 of the last 13 against sides in the top half.
- Rafael Benitez returns to Anfield where he was a manager between 2004 and 2010.
- Jonjo Shelvey unavailable to face former club due to knee problem.
Penalty for Liverpool? Mo Salah shoot goalwards and it strikes the hand of Lejeune but the referee waves away the appeals.
Paul Dummett saves Newcastle from surely conceding a second, as he denied Salah the space to cut inside in the box and Liverpool win the corner.
Better from the visitors at the start of this second half however.
Players back out for the second half at Anfield. No changes, but surely the Toon need to come out and have a go in this second half. Liverpool will just continue on the front-foot.
Half-time: Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle
Mohamed Salah again the difference for Liverpool, who finally broke down a stubborn Newcastle side who had threatened to frustrate the free-scoring Reds.
The Toon have sat back but they will have to come forward in the second half and that could provide more chances for the hosts, who have been far from their best but have the crucial lead.
Loris Karis sprung into action to make a flying save to keep out Diame's strike from the edge of the box. Newcastle belatedly threaten.
GOAL! Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle (Mohamed Salah)
Who else? Make that 32 goals for the season. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is key with a driving run from midfield, and he lays the ball on for Salah who takes one touch and plants the ball beyond Dubravka
It has not been a classic Premier League weekend so far this one, and the game at Anfield is going the same way.
Newcastle fighting for their lives at the bottom and they're playing like it too, not giving an inch to Liverpool tonight.
Dwight Gayle with an effort on goal from 25 yards. He finds the Kop end with ease. First time he has touched the ball in this first half.
Liverpool now having more joy and Salah should really get a shot away when he receives the ball in the box, but he allows Dummett to tackle him and the ball goes behind.
Not one but two chances for Liverpool as they finally open Newcastle up. A Salah corner finds Lovren at the back post who tests Dubravka, before Merino gets in the way as the visitors clear.
Rafael Benitez has set his side up to frustrate Newcastle. And so far it is working.
The pattern of this game is pretty much fixed now, with Liverpool dominating possession and trying to break Newcastle down. The away side are merely sitting in and are happy to frustrate the hosts.
It has been a pretty low key and poor opening quarter to be perfectly honest.
Salah tests Dubravka from a tight angle and he pushed the ball behind. No corner given, and to be fair the replays are rather inconclusive. All Liverpool however.
The first Newcastle attack sees the ball spread to DeAndre Yedlin but his run and cross ends with Loris Karius gathering under no pressure.
Half chance for Liverpool as the ball runs to Salah in the box and it takes a brave block from Paul Dummett - in the face no less - to keep Newcastle's clean sheet in tact.
The Toon have started well here, restricting the Reds to plenty of possession around 30 yards from their goal. Dwight Gayle a rather lonely figure in attack however.
All Liverpool in the early minutes and Mane should put them ahead but he miss-controls a right-wing cross which Lascelles completely missed. The Senegal striker can't wrap his foot around the ball and the chance is gone.
Thirty-one goals for Mo Salah this season, but can he make Newcastle his latest victim? Liverpool were held to a 1-1 draw at St James' Park earlier in the season.
Prediction time:
Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United
Give me a shout with yours before kick-off.