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Liverpool v Newcastle: Trio Of Changes
Written by Newcastle Utd
Papiss Cisse, Steven Taylor and Vurnon Anita all come in to the Newcastle starting line-up for Sunday's trip to Liverpool
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
At Anfield
Newcastle United have made three changes to their starting line-up for Sunday's trip to Liverpool in the Barclays Premier League (4pm kick-off).
Vurnon Anita, Steven Taylor and Papiss Cisse all return at the expense of Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson and Shola Ameobi, with the trio all dropping down to the substitutes' bench.
Summer signing Anita has had to be patient for chances since his arrival from Ajax in August. The versatile Dutch international, who can play either full-back or in midfield, will be making just his fifth top flight start at Anfield.
Taylor and Cisse have both found themselves among the replacements in recent weeks, but Cisse bagged the winner last weekend against West Brom and has earned a recall.
The Magpies are expected to line-up in a 4-4-2 formation with Tim Krul protected by a back four of Anita, Taylor, captain Fabricio Coloccini and Davide Santon.
Hatem Ben Arfa and Jonas Gutierrez will provide width on either flank, with Yohan Cabaye and James Perch offering steel in the middle of the park.
And the all-Senegalese strike force is reunited - seven-goal leading scorer Demba Ba, who has recovered from a shin knock, partnering Cisse up top.
On the substitutes' bench, Sammy Ameobi and Gabriel Obertan both offer blistering pace, while in youngster Shane Ferguson, United have the threat of an outstanding left-footed delivery.
Liverpool are without goalkeeper Pepe Reina and full-back Glen Johnson, who both remain sidelined through injury.
There is a place, however, for ex-Newcastle defender Jose Enrique, while former Sunderland man Jordan Henderson is on the bench.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Brad Jones; Andre Wisdom, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique; Joe Allen, Nuri Sahin; Raheem Sterling, Steven Gerrard (c), Suso; Luis Suarez
Substitutes: Peter Gulacsi, Sebastian Coates, Jamie Carragher, Jordan Henderson, Jonjo Shelvey, Oussama Assaidi, Stewart Downing
Newcastle United (4-4-2): Tim Krul; Vurnon Anita, Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Davide Santon; Hatem Ben Arfa, James Perch, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez; Papiss Cisse, Demba Ba
Substitutes: Steve Harper, Danny Simpson, Shane Ferguson, Mike Williamson, Gabriel Obertan, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi
Referee: Anthony Taylor (Manchester)