The Magpies get their Premier League season under way against Andoni Iraola's Liverpool on Sunday
Milos Kerkez of Liverpool is challenged by Jacob Ramsey of Newcastle United
Milos Kerkez is heading to Newcastle with Liverpool this weekend
Liverpool will be braced for the cauldron of noise which is St James' Park when they face Newcastle United in Sunday's Premier League opener.
While it has been a summer of much uncertaintiy on Tyneside, the Reds can be assured of a white-hot reception when they make the journey to the North East this weekend.
It was always going to be an emotional occasion, with special tributes planned in honour of Kevin Keegan - a hero at both clubs - after his death in July.
The game will also mark Matthias Jaissle's first competitive match in charge of the Magpies, and after a summer which has seen the United fanbase hit by a series of transfer exits, there is sure to be a mood of defiance inside the famous stadium come Sunday afternoon.
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Liverpool defender Milos Kerkez is in doubt what to expect when the two sides emerge on to the pitch, and is fully focused on preparing for the big game.
Speaking after their 2-0 pre-season win over Italian side Como, the left-back said: "We said we need to get the win, to get that positive mentality going into the next week. So, we did good, clean sheet, good for the defenders, and we’re happy.
"We have still some work to be more defensively set up, more help obviously from the wingers, but it’s going to come next week.
"This is the first time I played 90 minutes this summer, I felt a bit my legs at I would say 70-something minutes, but it’s good to get the whole 90 minutes.
"I had a lot of time to recharge after last season but honestly I started to train after, I will say, two or three weeks. I missed training, so it’s good to be back and recharged.
"We need to be ready for Premier League intensity next week. You know how it is, especially at Newcastle away, so it was good that a lot of guys got 90 minutes, definitely."
Kerkez has played against Newcastle for both Bournemouth and Liverpool, and knows exactly what the St James' Park experience entails.
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"Yeah, I can remember last season how it was – a big difference for me when you play for Bournemouth at Newcastle and Liverpool at Newcastle," he added.
"I can’t wait and I think my teammates also can’t wait. It’s a brilliant atmosphere there. It's the first game and we need to get the three points, definitely."
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