GEBRUS

Klopp is without a win against the Spaniard in his two previous Premier League meetings, and the German was full of praise for this weekends opposite number at his pre-match press conference on Friday.

"We know who is coming," Klopp said. "Rafa Benitez is a Liverpool legend - one of the best managers in the world.

"We know how he works, how he can organise a team and how he can make your life really difficult. I like him as a person but I actually think we have given him enough presents since Ive been here!

 

"We were 2-0 up at home when we played them and drew. At Newcastle, it was a little bit lucky for them. We need to be really focused and concentrated on this game."

 

The trip to Anfield takes Benitez back to a club where he spent six hugely successful years, capped by a Champions League triumph in 2005, and where he is still regarded fondly by the locals.

However, the Magpies have not tasted a league victory on the red half of Merseyside since 1994 and that is a situation he is desperate to address against Klopps high-flyers.

 

Benitez said: "The main thing for me is to try to win. Always I say the same when I have these situations: all the best after this game.

"The relationship, the connection is so obvious, for us we just have to make sure we do our best in this game and then afterwards, wish them all the best.

"You have to have this confidence coming from the game against Manchester United, coming from the first half against Bournemouth. There are a lot of positives that we have seen and we have to make sure we replicate this at Anfield."

 

Liverpool midfielder James Milner is a minor doubt ahead of the visit of Newcastle with a knock sustained in last weeks win over West Ham.

Captain Jordan Henderson is likely to return to the starting line-up after being rested at the weekend while Danny Ings has recovered from a cold to rejoin the squad.

Midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum and youngster Ben Woodburn are still struggling with illness while defender Nathaniel Clyne needs to sharpen up his match fitness after a first competitive outing of the season for the under-23s.

 

Midfielder Jonjo Shelvey is out of Newcastles Premier League trip to former club Liverpool.

Shelvey damaged a knee in last Saturdays 2-2 draw at Bournemouth and while manager Rafael Benitez does not believe the damage is serious, he is still being assessed.

Striker Dwight Gayle (hamstring) and midfielder Matt Ritchie (illness) are fit, but frontman Islam Slimani (thigh) and full-back Jesus Gamez (ankle) are still out.