ยท December 4 2024, 12:30
**Newcastle United are setting up to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool at St James' Park on Wednesday night.**
The Magpies are looking to bounce back from disappointing collapses against West Ham and Crystal Palace with the latter a bitter blow with The Eagles equalising in the 94th minute thanks to a Daniel Munoz header.
Newcastle boss Eddie Howe is confident his side can get a result against a Liverpool side who have ran rampant this season - he loves nights like this.
Something that has been talked about since the takeover in 2021 has been the atmosphere at St James' Park. Fans are concerned that the crowds don't seem as into the games in the last two seasons despite recent success and an appearance in the UEFA Champions League.
Now, former Newcastle goalkeeper Shay Given has had his say on these concerns which were more notable during the 2-0 defeat to West Ham in their last appearance at St James' Park.
Newcastle United legend Shay Given urges fans to get off their seats
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Given has noticed the change in atmosphere. As someone who played over 450 games for the club he knows what it's like to take in that crowd and understand the importance of a lively one.
> The keeper told [The Chronicle](https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/played-462-times-newcastle-united-30510175): "We should have done this or that which fans will say, but when that second goal went in against West Ham there was no reaction. St James' Park is a special place to play but the fans need to be off their seats and (the team) didn't respond at 2-0."At Palace it wasn't the best performance so that is probably where the worry and concern is because now you are going in against Liverpool and they are the most in form team in Europe, top of the Champions League and top of the Premier League, Arne Slot can't do no wrong."It is a massive game but Newcastle under the lights and if the players are 8/9 out of 10 you never know. This season things haven't lit up yet and the last home game against West Ham you really fancied them."I call myself a pundit now or expert in inverted commas! But I had Newcastle down to beat West Ham under the lights 3-0. They had beaten Arsenal and Chelsea and that was the perfect game but it was a real blip, especially when you see West Ham lose their next two.
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> "It was a chance and we could be sitting here having beaten West Ham and Palace, ifs and buts, in the top four! It's little margins."
Shay Given still believes Newcastle United can finish the season strong
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Despite the recent results Newcastle are just four points off the Champions League spots. Although it's early doors a win against Liverpool could propel them back into that picture and help them get back to where they were two years ago.
> "We always used to say it felt like we are either going to win the league or get relegated! Given said.There seems to be no middle ground. Middle ground is where Newcastle are at the minute, they are mid-table. There's no European competition this year so that is a little bit disappointing (to be mid-table).
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> "But when you look at the table in-depth they are just four points off top four and we are still in December at the start. If it's a horse race they are holding on to the reins a bit. I don't think there should be too much doom and gloom."
Given will be part of the panel for Wednesday's game against Liverpool at St James' Park on Amazon Prime. Kick-off is at 19:30.