Jürgen Klopp's verdict

The manager reflected on Liverpool's 1-1 draw at Newcastle United in his post-match press conference at St James' Park.

You can read a summary of what he had to say by clicking here.

The story of the game in numbers...

A Newcastle corner richoets around the Liverpool box, but Mignolet emerges with the ball.

Three minutes of stoppage time to be played at St James' Park.

Chance

Moreno does well to reach the ball before it crosses the line and hooks a cross to the back post, where Oxlade-Chamberlain meets it but heads over the bar.

Solanke meets Coutinho's cross with a stooping near-post header but it's not troubling Elliot.

Lovren heads Salah's corner back across goal, but Shelvey clears to stop Matip from surely scoring.

Elliot just beats Solanke to Gomez's cross to punch clear.

Roberto Firmino and Dominic Solanke preparing to come on for the Reds.

Salah lofts a pass over the top for Sturridge to chase, but Elliot is off his line quickly to collect ahead of the striker.

Coutinho lines up a free-kick from 30 yards that hits the top of the Newcastle wall. Sturridge controls and attemps an overhead kick, but it's well wide.

Atsu wriggles away from Gomez and into the box, but Matip is on hand to sweep up the danger.

Chance

For the second time in this game, Liverpool are left wondering how they haven't scored.

Clark's sliced clearance presents the ball to Sturridge, but his close-range shot is saved by Elliot and Salah can only loft the rebound over the crossbar from 10 yards.

Salah crosses from the left, but Wijnaldum can't make a proper connection with it in the centre.

The key first-half stats...

Coutinho has another go from range...this time he's off target.

Close!

Liverpool so unfortunate not to take the lead.

Wijnaldum meets Coutinho's corner at the near post with a flick that crashes against the post. The ball breaks for Matip to lays it off to Lovren. His shot is blocked on the line before Mane lashes the rebound into the side netting.

Sturridge almost sends Salah clean through on goal, but Yedlin manages to recover to save the Magpies inside the area.

Gomez crosses deep to the back post, where Mane meets it with a left-foot volley from a tight angle that clips the side netting and goes behind.

Coutinho slides Sturridge in inside the box, but his shot is blocked by Lascelles' lunge.

Shelvey finds Ritchie on the edge of the Liverpool area, who steps inside and strikes low. Mignolet collects with a diving stop.

Shelvey registers the game's first shot on goal, but his curler is an easy take for Mignolet.

At the other end, an audacious attempted lob from Sturridge sails over the crossbar.

Liverpool offer the game's first threat as Salah pounces on the ball inside his own half and speeds forward before playing Mane into space. The Senegal forward attempts to cut it back for the No.11, but it's just a touch behind him and he can't connect.

A minute's applause is held inside St James' Park in memory of former Newcastle chairman, Freddy Shepherd, who passed away earlier this week.

A reminder of the teams today...

The Reds arrive...

...well, not just now like. A bit earlier. But you get the gist.

Inside the Reds' dressing room...

The Reds...

TEAM NEWS

Jürgen Klopp has made four changes to his starting line-up from Tuesday’s draw in Moscow…

In come Simon Mignolet, Joe Gomez, Gini Wijnaldum and Daniel Sturridge.

Out go Loris Karius, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Emre Can and Roberto Firmino.

So, the Reds’ team in full is: Mignolet, Gomez, Matip, Lovren, Moreno, Henderson, Wijnaldum, Coutinho, Salah, Mane, Sturridge.

Subs: Karius, Milner, Klavan, Can, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Solanke, Firmino.

Have we met before?

Rafael Benitez isn't the only former Liverpool man in the Newcastle ranks these days.

Jonjo Shelvey - who made 69 appearances for the Reds and scored seven goals between 2010 and 2013 - will be hoping to line up against his ex-club this afternoon.

Javier Manquillo, who spent the 2014-15 on loan at Anfield, is also in the Toon squad.

Rafa's thoughts...

"For me, it's a special day. Liverpool are a special club and I have a lot of good memories from my time there," writes the former Reds and current Newcastle boss in his matchday programme notes.

"It will be very emotional, I was there for six years and my family are still there. The support I received from their fans from my first day until my last was amazing. I wish them all the best for the rest of the season - apart from when we play them."

Nine years ago today...

...Steven Gerrard scored his 100th Liverpool goal with a thumping free-kick against PSV Eindhoven at Anfield.

The stage is set...

View from the opposition

Want to know more about the Magpies and what to expect today? Have a read of our comprehensive Q&A with football writer and Newcastle fan Matt Ketchell. Spoiler: they really like Rafa.

Free live commentary

Want to hear the most passionate commentary around? You can listen live - and free - online as the Reds do battle with the Magpies. Simply click here shortly before kick-off.

"We're always positive"

September was a frustrating month for Liverpool, with just one win from their six outings in all competitions.

But Roberto Firmino has explained why the mood in the squad remains positive and the No.9 is targeting a confidence-boosting victory on Tyneside before the international break.

Click here to read our exclusive pre-match interview with the Brazilian.

Stat attack

Here's a few factual corkers to impress your friends with before kick-off...

• There has not been a goalless draw between these teams in the league since February 1974 - a run of 62 clashes
• Liverpool have scored 36 goals at Newcastle in the Premier League era, more than at any other away ground
• The only Reds player to appear for every minute in the league so far this season is Joel Matip

Let's play a word association game.

Newcastle...

What are the odds?

The match prices are in from BetVictor...

Newcastle - 4/1
Draw - 31/10
Liverpool - 8/11

Click here for more details.

Inside Training

Enjoy a glimpse at Liverpool's preparations for today's match with our images and footage (on LFCTV GO) from Friday's training session at Melwood...

"It will be emotional"

For his part, Benitez is expecting a special occasion as he leads Newcastle against the club he managed for six years - and which remains close to his heart.

He said: "I spent so many years there, and have so many good memories. My family still live in Liverpool, so it is my home. I feel like I have a home here, but my family are there. I have a lot of positive, very good relationships with Liverpool fans, [including] the families connected to Hillsborough. There are a lot of connections, and it will be very emotional."

See everything Klopp had to say about this game, including the reunion with Rafa, with our full video from his pre-match press conference on Friday...

Team news

The line-ups will be announced an hour before kick-off but what we do know already is that Jürgen Klopp has no fresh injury concerns despite a couple of knocks in the Champions League draw with Spartak Moscow.

Nathaniel Clyne and Adam Lallana remain unavailable despite positive progress in their respective recoveries from back and thigh injuries.

Reds captain Jordan Henderson is set for his 250th appearance for the club.

Two points separate the sides after half-a-dozen fixtures in 2017-18.

Take a look at the tale of the tape with our Opta data below...

Welcome

Hello and welcome to our live matchday blog for Liverpool's Premier League meeting with Newcastle United, which kicks off at 4.30pm BST.

It's the Reds against Rafael Benitez at St James' Park in a fixture that never fails to entertain.

Stick with us for all of the build-up, confirmed team news, updates from the game, photos, stats, reaction and much more right here.