Eddie Howe's side have the daunting task of keeping Liverpool out at St James' Park
Football content editor for Chronicle Live, Sunderland Live, Gazette Live, Leeds Live, Yorkshire Live and Hull Live. A North East native, he has been working in sports journalism since 1995. Stuart has worked on the Sunday Sun, Chronicle and the Journal since move from the Gateshead Post in 1999.
Mohamed Salah of Liverpool and Tino Livramento of Newcastle United
Mo Salah of Liverpool and Tino Livramento of Newcastle United(Image: James Marsh/REX/Shutterstock)
Liverrpool have spent the summer making what was a title-winning squad even stronger. Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz may have departed, but the arrivals of Florian Wirtz, Huge Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong has only elevated Arne Slot's side.
But for all the new talent the Dutchman will have at his disposal when he brings his side to St James' Park for Monday night's Premier League game with Newcastle United, it's a familiar face who will no doubt be the main dangerman.
Mo Salah is starting his ninth season in the red of Liverpool and there appears to be little sign that his influence is waning.
The Egyptian was on the mark in their opening-weekend 4-2 win over Bournemouth, taking his tally to 246 goals in all competitions since arriving at Anfield.
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Newcastle know all about his abilities. Despite an outstanding performance in the 3-3 draw at St James' in the same fixture last season, United's dominance was undone by 15 minutes of magic from the 33-year-old.
Liverpool have players who can win games throughout their side, but the feeling remains that if you can keep Salah quiet, the rest of the team are muted.
To that end, Newcastle already have a trump card in their pocket. United headed to Wembley for March's Carabao Cup final as underdogs but famously emerged as 2-1 winners in a day when everyone in black-and-white stood up to the plate.
Perhaps none more so than Tino Livramento. The England full-back has been forced to play out of position at left-back ever since Lewis Hall's season was ended last February.
However he showed at Wembley that he is capable of doing what countless others before him and tried and failed - keeping Salah quiet for 90 minutes.
What's more, he was also an attacking threat, helping to set up the crucial second goal for Alexander Isak.
TIno Livramento blocks Liverpool's Mo Salah
TIno Livramento blocks Liverpool's Mo Salah
Of course that does not mean he'll simply go out and nullify Salah's threat on Monday night. The 22-year-old will know he has a huge task ahead of him - but should rightly take encouragement from that glorious afternoon in London five months ago.
Hall is close to a first-team return after coming through several pre-season appearances and 90 mintues for Newcastle's Under-21s last weekend.
Match fitness remains the issue and at this stage of the season, it would be no surprise to see Howe stick with Livramento at left-back with the experienced Kieran Trippier on the right.
But while Hall will eventually win his place back, Howe has no need to worry about Tino on Monday.
Indeed, it may yet be Salah who has the most to think about.