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Perch Aiming To Be A Record Breaker
Written by Newcastle Utd
James Perch told nufc.co.uk that he wants to put an end to Newcastle's miserable record at Anfield this weekend
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
James Perch insists Newcastle United can begin to readdress the history books at Liverpool this Sunday.
The Magpies have not triumphed at Anfield in league action for more than 18 years, when Rob Lee and Andy Cole fired them to a 2-0 victory way back in April 1994.
Since then Merseyside has not been anything but a happy hunting ground for United, losing 15 and drawing just two of the trips that followed.
But Liverpool are a side in transition these days following the summer arrival of Brendan Rodgers from Swansea, and Perch believes it is the perfect time to take on a Reds side who have struggled to find any consistency so far this term.
"The last few times we've been there we haven't done too well," the versatile defender told nufc.co.uk.
"But Liverpool have had a couple of disappointing results in the last week, and we will go there and try to win. Hopefully we do.
"They are a great team and a great club with great tradition, but things will take time there.
"The manager is trying to make his mark on the team, like he did at Swansea.
"I think he's trying to get them to play like that, which won't happen overnight, s hopefully we can go there and upset them.
"If you look at the Liverpool sides of the past five or ten years, if you were to ask which one would you rather play against I think you would say this one now - the current squad.
"They have still got some great players in guys like Gerrard and Suarez, don't get me wrong, but we look at it as a game we can win."
Perch has been a near-regular for Alan Pardew's side this term, making 14 appearances across a variety of defensive and midfield positions.
His latest role has been as a defensive midfielder in place of the suspended Cheick Tiote, who will sit out a further two domestic games following his straight red card in the Tyne-Wear derby last month.
And, after a number of midweek Europa League and Capital One Cup outings in the early part of the season, Perch - among others - was glad of a full seven days in between matches this week.
"I'm buzzing!" he joked.
"Really though, I am kind of glad there hasn't been a midweek game this week.
"We have had a few recently and they are all tough games. Add on top of that all the Premier League games and another midweek match might have been a bit too much for one or two of the lads.
"It gives us the chance to recover a bit and also prepare as well as we can do for Liverpool, and hopefully we will come away from there with a result."