The influential defender had been a doubt for the Magpies’ second outing on home soil in a week after picking up a calf injury in their 3-1 win over Everton on Tuesday night. However, he has been given the nod to start against Steven Gerrard’s side, as has fellow January signing Dan Burn, who makes his Newcastle debut.

Burn replaces Jamaal Lascelles in the heart of the backline, with the skipper absent from today’s squad, and will partner Fabian Schär, who keeps his place.

With Matt Targett ineligible to play against his parent club, Javier Manquillo starts for United at left back.

Those two changes in defence aside, the Magpies are unchanged from the XI who started Tuesday’s victory; Martin Dúbravka remains in goal, Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock and Joelinton continue together in central midfield, while Allan Saint-Maximin and Ryan Fraser will look to provide support to Chris Wood up top.

A fit-again Paul Dummett returns to United’s bench, where there is also a spot for young midfielder Lucas de Bolle.

Newcastle United: Martin Dúbravka, Kieran Trippier, Fabian Schär, Dan Burn, Javier Manquillo, Jonjo Shelvey, Joe Willock, Joelinton, Ryan Fraser, Allan Saint-Maximin, Chris Wood.

Substitutes: Karl Darlow, Emil Krafth, Paul Dummett, Jacob Murphy, Bruno Guimarães, Sean Longstaff, Lucas de Bolle, Miguel Almirón, Dwight Gayle.