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Kevin Keegan returns to Anfield having endured a torrid start to his second coming at St. James’ Park. His first spell holders fonder memories: Keegan was the manager of Newcastle when his side succumbed to a last minute Stan Collymore goal in a 4-3 defeat that is possibly still the most entertaining Premier League game ever.

That Newcastle team had flair - Ginola, Beardsley and Asprilla, as well as the goals of Les Ferdinand, and they went so close to winning the championship under Keegan’s guidance. This time, it's been different: sections of the Toon Army were delighted when Keegan returned but, to be honest, Keegan could not have imagined such a dreadful sequence of results in his darkest nightmares.

Newcastle are sliding slowly towards the bottom three with a squad of ageing and unmotivated players who are underperforming massively. Having not won in 11 league games, Newcastle now face the daunting prospect of a trip to Anfield, a side that have already beaten them 3-0 this season.

Newcastle concede goals far too readily and Liverpool’s in-form Fernando Torres will fancy his chances of scoring a third consecutive hat-trick at Anfield here. Rafa Benitez, in fact, has seen his side finally start to play like a top four club in recent weeks, winning four on the spin and scoring plenty of goals on the process.

With a solid defensive midfield duo of Javier Mascherano and Xabi Alonso dictating play, Benitez has released Steven Gerrard to support the scintillating Fernando Torres and it has worked well. Dirk Kuyt has found some form playing wide where he is not expected to score goals, and Ryan Babel’s pace on the opposite flank stretches teams creating space for Torres and Gerrard to exploit.

Benitez has not rotated as much since that shocking Cup defeat at the hands of Barnsley, and so long as he continues to do this The Red’s can expect an excellent end to the season. A victory on Saturday looks like a formality, but Newcastle have to win sometime and what better ground to win on than Anfield where manager Keegan and captain Owen enjoyed so many glorious games in the colours of Liverpool.

TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

Rafa is becoming more consistent with his team selections in recent weeks, and probably won’’t tinker much with the side that thrashed West Ham in midweek. Steve Finnan and Andriy Voronin (ankle) will miss out, but Daniel Agger is back in contention after getting some action in the reserves on Tuesday night.

Last Starting XI (4-2-3-1 v West Ham): Reina - Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Riise - Mascherano, Xabi Alonso - Kuyt (Benayoun 63), Gerrard, Babel (Pennant 76)- Torres (Crouch 82).

Newcastle

King Kev has not had any luck since returning to Newcastle and that has continued with Shay Given sidelined. Elsewhere, Stephen Carr, Mark Viduka, Peter Ramage and Emre are missing, as is Joey Barton who is not allowed to play in Liverpool due to the terms of his bail. Expect a central midfield role Charles N’Zogbia.

Last Starting XI (4-4-2 v Blackburn): Harper - Beye, Taylor, Faye, Jose Enrique - Milner, Barton, Butt (Martins 67), Duff (N’Zogbia 78) - Owen, Smith.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool - Fernando Torres has scored hat-tricks in his last two home games, and the former Atletico Madrid forward will be rubbing his hands at the prospect of another against a confidence stricken Newcastle on Saturday. Torres ripped Newcastle to pieces at St. James’ Park earlier in the campaign, yet somehow failed to convert any of the chances he created for himself. Do not expect the best striker in the country to be as forgiving this weekend.

Newcastle - Michael Owen returns to Anfield as captain of a Newcastle side that find themselves in freefall. Owen rose to prominence after coming through the Liverpool youth ranks, and many Koppites were angered when Benitez chose not to bring back the England man from Real Madrid. Owen has lost some pace due to injuries but he is still a predator, and if Newcastle can supply him with decent chances, it is only a matter of time before he starts hitting the net again.

PREDICTION

Eveything points to a comfortable home win as Keegan returns to Anfield on the back of a horrendous run of form while the home side have started to find their best form as they attempt to stay ahead of Villa and Everton in the race for fourth place.

Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle