Liverpool v Newcastle: Vuckic Starts At Anfield

By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter

Teenager Haris Vuckic will make only his second Premier League start as Newcastle United travel to Liverpool tonight (7.45pm kick-off).

The Slovenian Under 21 international made his top flight bow earlier this month as the Magpies slipped to a 3-2 home defeat against West Brom, and impressed enough for manager Alan Pardew to pick the youngster once more.

Vuckic comes in for Leon Best as the only change to United's starting line-up from their Boxing Day victory at Bolton, with Best dropping down to the bench.

And 19-year-old Vuckic - who can play in midfield or up front - will slot in just behind lone striker Demba Ba. 

Ryan Taylor continues at left-back, despite Davide Santon returning to fitness after a slight knee problem. The Italian international defender has to be content with a place among the substitutes.

Pardew has an array of attacking options on the bench, with Best, Hatem Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi and Shola Ameobi all able to be called upon.

Liverpool make a couple of changes to their starting personnel, with Jay Spearing returning in the middle of the park, and Craig Bellamy given the nod up top.

It means the Reds have an ex-Newcastle strike pairing of Bellamy and Andy Carroll, and also include Jose Enrique - who swapped Tyneside for Merseyside in August - at left-back.

Liverpool (4-4-2): Pepe Reina; Glen Johnson, Martin Skrtel, Daniel Agger, Jose Enrique; Jordan Henderson, Charlie Adam, Jay Spearing, Stewart Downing; Craig Bellamy, Andy Carroll

Substitutes: Alexander Doni, Martin Kelly, Jamie Carragher, Jonjo Shelvey, Maxi Rodriguez, Steven Gerrard, Dirk Kuyt

Newcastle United (4-4-1-1): Tim Krul; Danny Simpson, Mike Williamson, Fabricio Coloccini (c), Ryan Taylor; Gabriel Obertan, Cheick Tiote, Yohan Cabaye, Jonas Gutierrez; Haris Vuckic; Demba Ba

Substitutes: Rob Elliot, Davide Santon, James Perch, Hatem Ben Arfa, Sammy Ameobi, Shola Ameobi, Leon Best