Newcastle United remain unbeaten in the Premier League and sit in one off the European qualification slots after four matches of the season.
But their unscathed start to the campaign is put to the ultimate test this week as they visit Anfield to face a Jurgen Klopp side still purring from a 9-0 rout of AFC Bournemouth. Liverpool had started the season in stuttering fashion with a couple of draws then a defeat away to Man United.
Yet in the space of just one match, they are now breathing down the back of the Premier League's top eight clubs. Newcastle go into the game on the back of that 1-1 draw at Wolverhampton Wanderers and while the performance wasn't perfect from Eddie Howe's side, they are at least picking up results when they are not at their best.
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Eddie Howe doesn't settle for a draw
Newcastle would have left Molineux cock-a-hoop with a draw and a late equaliser in years gone by but not under Eddie Howe. The Toon boss was far from pleased with the final outcome against Wolves.
Howe told his team at half-time that they had not hit the high standards he's set them in recent times. A lack of cutting edge in the final third was certainly apparent and it led to Wolves grabbing the opener through Ruben Neves.
But Howe was much happier with the second half and felt that his side probably should have won the game. The fact that Newcastle are coming off the pitch feeling disappointed with a draw, which was also the case at Brighton then again after Man City no less, is a very good sign.
Elliot Anderson is a genuine contender to start against Liverpool
The teenager may have been on the field for just six minutes but could have won the game with two openings in a short space of time. First, he struck the bar with a header after Matt Targett's corner at the death and then he danced through to win a presentable free-kick which Fabian Schar fired wide of the post.
With Bruno Guimaraes set to miss the trip to Anfield, there is an opening in the middle for somebody with Sean Longstaff and Joe Willock battling for places too. Yet few could be surprised if Anderson's name is on the team sheet as a starter at Anfield come 7pm on Wednesday night.
Joe Willock worry after early chance
It's been 13 matches since Joe Willock last scored for Newcastle in a competitive game. And like a seasoned striker he just needs one to drop kindly for him to get back up and running.
He sent an early shot wide from close range against Wolves and it's easy to say he should have done better when sitting in the stands. On review though it was actually Willock who tried to play the role of provider when laying it into path of Chris Wood whose shot then bounced up awkwardly back into his path.
Willock had also headed the ball down for Sean Longstaff just before and Newcastle should have had penalty after the Geordie's shirt was tugged by Matheus Nunes. Willock has 10 Newcastle goals to his name already and is certainly due one.
What price comes at Anfield where he scored a dramatic equaliser in 2021 to earn a point on his way to seven goals in seven matches?
Fortress Anfield awaits Newcastle United
In two of the last three visits to Liverpool, Newcastle have twice had the audacity to open the scoring at Anfield with two seventh minute goals in 2019 and 2021 from Jetro Willems and Jonjo Shelvey briefly allowing Newcastle fans to dream on Merseyside.
But on both occasions, Liverpool roared back to win 3-1 in front of the Kop. Howe lost the latest game at Liverpool just a few weeks into the job.
And so the build-up to the latest encounter against the Reds has the same old narrative with a clutch of Newcastle players - including Joelinton, Joe Willock and Sven Botman - not even born the last time United won a Premier League fixture at the venue back in 1994.
This team is setting new standards and aiming to rewrite the record books. Let's hope it can be this week.
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