Newcastle v Liverpool
Newcastle boss Sir Bobby Robson restored winger Laurent Robert to the Newcastle starting line-up for this afternoon's Premiership showdown with Liverpool.
The Frenchman, who was rested for the 1-1 draw at Wolves last weekend, replaced the injured Lee Bowyer, while Shola Ameobi came in for Lomana LuaLua in attack.
Liverpool boss Gerrard Houllier was without injured duo Michael Owen and Harry Kewell, and made five changes to the side which went out of the Carling Cup at home to Bolton in midweek.
Chris Kirkland returned in goal while Sami Hyypia, Dietmar Hamann, Steven Gerrard and Florent Sinama-Pongelle were also recalled as Jerzy Dudek, Djimi Traore, Vladimir Smicer, Anthony Le Tallec and Salif Diao made way.
Newcastle: Given, Hughes, Woodgate, Bramble, Bernard, Dyer, Jenas, Speed, Robert, Shearer, Ameobi. Subs: Solano, O'Brien, Harper, Ambrose, LuaLua.
Liverpool: Kirkland, Riise, Biscan, Hyypia, Otsemobor, Murphy, Hamann, Gerrard, Diouf, Sinama Pongolle, Heskey. Subs: Smicer, Diao, Le Tallec, Traore, Luzi Bernardi.
Referee:G Poll (Hertfordshire)
