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It has been nine years since Newcastle United last beat Liverpool.
The Reds have won 11 of the last 15 meetings between the two sides and recorded league doubles in each of the last three seasons.
Such a run is part of the reason why the Magpies will feel they owe Liverpool one ahead of Arne Slot’s side’s visit to St. James’ Park
Although admittedly only one-sided, it has become a growing rivalry in Newcastle eyes in recent years
The Reds will be keen to maintain such dominance against Eddie Howe’s side as they look to at least preserve a nine-point lead
St. James’ Park is no easy place to go. This season alone, Newcastle have beaten Arsenal, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur at home, as well as held Manchester City prior to their catastrophic collapse.
There was a time when they would regularly taste victory against Liverpool on Tyneside too.
Between their first and second returns to the Premier League after relegation, in 2010/11 and 2017/18, they won four and lost only one of seven meetings with Liverpool at St. James’ Park.
Their 3-1 and 2-0 victories in December 2010 and December 2015 would even help sow the seeds for future transfers between the two sides.
Andy Carroll netted a brace in the former, little over six weeks before his record £35m transfer to Anfield, while Gini Wijnaldum scored in the latter ahead of a £25m move to Merseyside at the end of the season.
But it was when the Reds travelled to Newcastle in April 2012 that it meant even more than most to the Toon Army.
The Magpies were sixth in the Premier League table, one place and eight points ahead of Liverpool prior to the clash, and were still dreaming of an unlikely top-four finish.
Meanwhile, the encounter also saw both Carroll and Jose Enrique make their first returns to St. James’ Park after trading Tyneside for Merseyside.
Sir Kenny Dalglish was also making a first managerial return to his former club, having been sacked by the Magpies 14 years earlier. Unsurprisingly, they were not afforded warm welcomes.
A Papiss Cisse brace ultimately earned Alan Pardew’s side a 2-0 victory, as Liverpool dropped to eighth
But the game is perhaps best remembered for the sight of Enrique finishing the match in goal against his former club, to the delight of the home crowd
Pepe Reina was sent off for violent conduct in the 82nd minute after Liverpool had used all of their substitutes.
The Spaniard was dismissed after losing his head with James Perch.
Tripped by the defender, he confronted him, only for the Newcastle man to dramatically collapse to the floor clutching his face after a miniscule touch from Reina going forehead to forehead.
Perch recalled the altercation, admitting his embarrassment at his reaction. And he has revealed how Reina was waiting for him in the tunnel after the final whistle, still fuming at the defender’s part in getting him sent off.
Perch
"Before the game, the gaffer said, 'if Pepe Reina comes and catches it, he will look to kick it quickly,”
“So, try and stand in front of him.' I obviously took it a bit too literally!
“That's when Reina lost his head, and the rest is history.
“To be honest, that incident was probably one of the only times in my career which I kind of regret a little bit.
"I shouldn't have gone down that easily. And when I see it happen now, it infuriates me. If I could turn back time, I probably wouldn't have gone down.
“Whether he'd still have got sent off or not, I'm not sure. But it was funny seeing Jose in there (in goal).
“All I know is Pepe Reina wanted to kill me. It was just heat of the moment; he was waiting in the tunnel. And he's a big lad.
“He took his top off and I thought 'I've got to deal with this'! I said 'Colo (Fabricio Coloccini), go and speak to him.' He never got stressed or angry, really."
Following the victory over Liverpool, Perch would help Newcastle climb to fourth in the table by the end of the month.
However, they ultimately missed out on Champions League qualification as they finished in fifth.
the defeat was Liverpool’s sixth from their last seven Premier League matches.
Going on to finish eighth in the Premier League, such form ultimately cost Dalglish his job
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