Manager Alan Pardew challenged his Newcastle United team to make a statement about the destiny of their season as they attempt to right two horrific wrongs of last season.
The team face in-form Liverpool at St James’ Park today and then head to arch-rivals Sunderland eight days later in a pair of fixtures that could also induce a sense of deja vu.
Six months ago, the same two clubs provided Pardew’s men with the rudest of awakenings when Sunderland made the short trip to Tyneside, and against the odds, left with a 3-0 victory, two weeks before Liverpool recorded a 6-0 rout.
Pardew is hoping his players can gain a measure of revenge for both debacles. “I’d like to think it puts fire in your belly, because that’s what it should do,” he said. “I have certainly got fire in my belly to get positive results and make sure they are distant memories.”
If Newcastle are to achieve the first leg of their aim, they will have to find a way to shackle Liverpool’s dangerous front two, Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge.
Pardew may rely on Loic Remy and Papiss Cisse in a counter-attack strategy.
“There will be two different formations on the pitch and that will be important,” he said.
“Liverpool will want to dictate with their formation and the most important thing for us is that we dictate.
“Our offensive players, if they can get Liverpool on the back foot, then we can have some success.”
That would be easier said than done as Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers said he will take the strongest squad to Newcastle with the assertion there is plenty more to come from his side.
“I go on about performance because I don’t just like to get three points,” Rodgers said. “I worry about playing well and playing in a certain way. That’s always how I’ve been.
“What I can’t argue with is the work of the players, the honesty of the players ... I’ve got a great group here that I think will get better. That’s something that we aim to do, always improve.”
Only playmaker Philippe Coutinho is missing as he continues his recovery from a shoulder operation, while full-backs Glen Johnson and Aly Cissokho and midfielder Joe Allen all return.
Rodgers will miss forward Iago Aspas, 26, who is facing six weeks out after tearing a thigh muscle in training yesterday. Aspas, who arrived in June, failed to score in six games.
