"I think we are getting closer but you need points." Those were the words ushered by Eddie Howe as he stood in the Anfield tunnel, deflated and disheartened after a Fabio Carvalho winner for Liverpool back in August. Little did the Newcastle United boss know that he was spot on with his assessment when it came to turning decent performances into results.
The Magpies have only tasted defeat once since suffering that last-gasp heartache on Merseyside, succumbing to Sheffield Wednesday in the FA Cup after a host of first-team changes from Howe. Premier League form may have stuttered of late but Newcastle have still only failed to pick up points once in the top flight this term.
A win over Liverpool at St James' Park this weekend would essentially end the Reds' faint top four hopes, while simultaneously getting Newcastle's campaign firmly back on track. The man likely to be spearheading Newcastle's attack is already familiar with hurting the Reds.
