Eddie Howe makes head-scratching change as teams are announced ahead of NUFC v LFC

Newcastle United are looking to end nine years of misery by finally beating Liverpool in the Premier League for the first time since December 2015.

That 2-0 victory was Jurgen Klopp's only defeat against the Magpies but now the German has gone and has been replaced with Dutchman Arne Slot giving Newcastle a renewed hope.

However, Slot has got Liverpool firing much better than Klopp's last few years at Anfield and this game comes after two horrendous Newcastle performances.

Therefore Eddie Howe had a lot of thinking to do between Saturday's fortunate draw against Crystal Palace and tonight's game against Liverpool

Eddie Howe has brought in Jacob Murphy

Newcastle will be hoping that home advantage gives them the edge tonight, while Eddie Howe has gone with a team that may have raised a couple of eyebrows.

We were expecting changes, but Joe Willock has dropped out to be replaced by Jacob Murphy as the sole change - we definitely didn't see that one coming.

Murphy has a lot to prove in this game after failing to produce anything of note all season. Joelinton will drop back into the middle alongside Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali - back to that midfield trio that hasn't worked once.

We're not sure if this is intentional sabotage by Eddie Howe or what, but we'll reserve judgement until after full-time.

Arne Slot has gone strong with his team selection

Arne Slot has fielded a fairly strong starting XI in a bid to keep their winning streak intact.

Mo Salah starts along with Darwin Nunez who absolutely loves a goal against Newcastle with Cody Gakpo and Alexis Mac Allister also not adverse to finding the net.

Trent Alexander-Arnold has to make do with a spot on the bench as does former Newcastle target Dominik Szoboslai.

It's still a team very capable of causing Newcastle plenty of problems so we'll have to be at our best tonight.

HOWAY EDDIE HOWE'S WHAT IS JACOB MURPHY DOING ON THAT PITCH? MAGS!!!