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Newcastle will be aiming to pile more misery on Liverpool today in what has been a sensational season for Newcastle. They are eight points above Liverpool and are level on points with Chelsea. After experiencing some dip in form Newcastle bounced back into Champions League contention with back to back wins in the league.
The duo of former Newcastle players Andy Carroll and Jose Enrique return to St James Park.Andy Carroll made the big money move to Liverpool after Fernando Torres was sold to Liverpool in last season’s January transfer window and just like the man Carroll went to replace at Liverpool at his new club ,goals are few and far between for Carroll
The duo of Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse are leading the charge for Newcastle’s European glory. They have scored 21 goals between them this season. Papiss Cisse joined Newcastle in the January transfer window and is proving to be an inspired signing. He bagged a brace in Newcastle’s win over West Brom last weekend.
Another player that has found his form back is Hatem Ben Arfa and is gradually showing his potential at Newcastle. They have been formidable at home,with a six game unbeaten run at St James Park which include four victories and two draws.
Newcastle will be desperate to pick all three points to move them a step closer to achieving their dream of playing in the Champions League next season. Newcastle are suffering from a mini crisis in defense as Fabricio Colocini has been ruled out for four weeks while Ryan Taylor and Stephen Taylor are also injured. Incidentally last season Carroll injury time goal gave Newcastle victory over Liverpool.
Liverpool are having a 2012 to forget ,their fortunes have gone from bad to worse since the turn of the year. They were aiming for a top four finish but that is looking highly unlikely as they have won just two out of their last 11 games. They are 13 points off fourth place Tottenham.Last week they were beaten by relegation threatened Wigan at Anfield to sum up their recent woes
So, far,the win was Wigan’s first ever in Anfield. Liverpool can take confidence from the fact that they have a good record against Newcastle, winning their last six out their last seven meetings .Liverpool are also desperate to return back to winning ways. Liverpool defender Jose Enrique wants the team to improve,he said: “In the cups we are doing well; in the league, I think we deserve more than where we are now. But the truth is we are in seventh position.
“We have played good football in many games but against Wigan (on Saturday) we didn’t deserve to win.
“This team is in production. The owners have signed young players. I think we have a really good squad already but of course, we have to improve - everyone.
“The manager takes pressure for us and of course, that is good. But the truth is, when we make mistakes or have a bad game, we know where the mistakes come from. Who plays the games? The players. Who has to win them? The players too.
