Life Under The New Regime

It has been a eventful week and we've seen Liverpool moved on and into the hands of two American owners. The first match under their ownership is none other than a trip up to the Tyneside.

Over the years, Liverpool and Newcastle NEVER failed to provide entertainment when the two sides meet. I fell in love with Liverpool watching them play against Newcastle back in 1997. It was a game of the highest quality and Michael Owen's finishing back then was just pure class.

Even the last meeting between the two sides produced a magical moment by our Spanish playmaker, Xabi Alonso. He saw Steve Harper off the line and audaciously chipped the ball from just within his own half and embarrassed Harper, who slipped and fell after getting caught out.

We've no idea whether the two tycoons will be present at the game but I've got a feeling they will be. As owners, I believe it's important to go to your team's (or franchise to them) first game to show support to not only players but the fans as well.

With the 100 million transfer kitty promised, Rafa will most definitely look into bringing quality players into the squad which is already brimming with qualities from back to front. But for now, we will have to work with the current group of players.

Good news will definitely be the return of Momo Sissoko into the side. He has been missing since early November with a shoulder injury and will probably make it into the squad if he pass the late fitness test. This will be a crucial decision due to the fact that Xabi Alonso will not be playing any part of this game due to injury. Bolo Zenden could slot in there as well alongside captain Steven Gerrard.

Newcastle's injury woes continues as they'll missing a huge chunk of players. Emre, Shay Given, Peter Ramage, Craig Moore, Shola Ameobi, Charles N'Zogbia and Michael Owen are all missing through injury.

Stephen Carr has joined the casualty list after being forced to withdraw from the Republic of Ireland squad in midweek with a thigh problem.

Will the first game under the new ownership prove to be a successful one? Looking through the injury list, we could well get the 3 points today. But the players will have to come up with a good performance after that disappointing one last weekend.

Drogballs' Prediction: Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool. Should be a close game. But I still think we have the quality to defeat them at St. James' Park.