Newcastle v Liverpool: Abeid's League Debut

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Managing Editor

At St. James' Park

Mehdi Abeid makes his Barclays Premier League debut as Newcastle United entertain Liverpool at St. James' Park (12.45pm kick-off).

The Algerian midfielder has made eight Magpies appearances since arriving on Tyneside in the summer of 2011, but they have all come in domestic cup competitions and the Europa League.

However, 22-year-old Abeid is given his chance in a United side which shows five changes from their midweek Capital One Cup victory at Manchester City.

Returning to the starting line-up are goalkeeper Tim Krul, centre-back Steven Taylor, midfielder Moussa Sissoko and forwards Sammy Ameobi and Papiss Cisse, the latter of who has shaken off a slight knee injury.

Newcastle are expected to line-up in a 4-3-3 formation with Krul protected by a back four of Daryl Janmaat, Taylor, captain Fabricio Coloccini and Paul Dummett.

Sissoko and Abeid will be joined by Jack Colback in a midfield trio, while ahead of them, Gabriel Obertan and Ameobi will flank four-goal leading scorer Cisse.

On an attack-minded substitutes' bench there are places for Ayoze Perez, Yoan Gouffran, Remy Cabella, Rolando Aarons, Ryan Taylor, Massadio Haidara and Rob Elliot.

Newcastle United (4-3-3): Tim Krul; Daryl Janmaat, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Paul Dummett; Moussa Sissoko, Mehdi Abeid, Jack Colback; Gabriel Obertan, Papiss Cisse, Sammy Ameobi

Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Massadio Haidara, Ryan Taylor, Rolando Aarons, Remy Cabella, Yoan Gouffran, Ayoze Perez

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Simon Mignolet; Glen Johnson, Dejan Lovren, Martin Skrtel, Alberto Moreno; Joe Allen, Steven Gerrard (c); Jodan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho, Raheem Sterling; Mario Balotelli

Substitutes: Brad Jones, Javi Manquillo, Kolo Toure, Emre Can, Adam Lallana, Fabio Borin, Rickie Lambert 

Referee: Andre Marriner (West Midlands)