A general view of St James' Park
Newcastle United host Liverpool under the St James' Park lights
It's been a mark of Eddie Howe's Newcastle United that when they have to rise to the occasion, they usually meet the challenge in style. Questions have been raised several times before about this side, but they have generally been met with firm responses on the pitch.
So it is this week when Premier League leaders Liverpool head to St James' Park tonight to face a Magpies side who followed up a home defeat to West Ham with an uninspiring 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace last weekend. Even if they were in form, Newcastle will have to be at their very best to get something from this game, but after beating Arsenal, Chelsea and Spurs on home turf already this season, and taking a deserved point from Manchester City, there will be an inner confidence in the United camp.
Alexander Isak faces a late fitness test after coming off with a hip injury at Palace, while Dan Burn continues to play with an ankle issue, but otherwise, Howe has a strong squad available to him. The St James' Park clash comes after Liverpool beat Real Madrid and Manchester City at Anfield - and ahead of next weekend's Merseryside derby date with Everton at Goodison Park - but Arne Slot and Co are focused on tonight's game. Here's all you need to know.
When is Newcastle United vs Liverpool?
The match kicks off at 7.30pm this evening, Wednesday, December 4, at St James' Park. It is one of six Premier League matches taking place today.
Is Newcastle United vs Liverpool on TV?
Yes, all midweek Premier League fixtures are being broadcast live by Amazon Prime Video. They are broadcasting 10 midweek matches on December 3-5, plus 10 fixtures on December 26-27. Each match can be streamed free with an Amazon Prime subscription or by signing up for an Amazon Prime 30-day free trial.
How else can I follow Newcastle United vs Liverpool?
We will bring you live coverage of the game right here on ChronicleLive, with our team on top of all the build up, team news, match analysis, ratings and reacton as it happens.
Early Newcastle United team news
Eddie Howe was waiting to see how Alexander Isak came through training before deciding whether to include him in tonight's squad. The Swedish striker feels he is ready, but Howe was understandably more cautious, saying: "He took a knock to his hip and wasn't able to carry on. We haven't seen him in training yet but I don't think it's a long term injury. We'll wait and see. It'll be time and pain management - and how quickly it settles down."
Who is the Newcastle vs Liverpool referee?
Andy Madeley will be in charge of tonight's game, the first time he has officiated the Magpies this season. In fact, this is the first time he has refereed Newcastle since the opening day of last term, when United beat Aston Villa 5-1.
Premier League fixtures
TONIGHT
Southampton vs Chelsea (7.30pm)
Manchester City vs Nottingham Forest (7.30pm)
Newcastle vs Liverpool (7.30pm)
Everton vs Wolves (7.30pm)
Arsenal vs Manchester United (8.15pm)
Aston Villa vs Bentford (8.15pm)
THURSDAY
Fulham vs Brighton (7.30pm)
Bournemouth vs Tottenham (8.15pm)