Fowler: We'll need to be at our very best
Robbie Fowler believes Liverpool will have to produce levels akin to the ones they conjured during the second half of last season if they are to emerge with three points against Newcastle United this afternoon.
Alan Pardew's side have hit a rich vein of form recently, chalking up three consecutive wins - results which have gone to some lengths in banishing memories of a disappointing start in the Barclays Premier League.
Prior to beating Leicester City by a narrow 1-0 scoreline on October 18, Newcastle were without a win in the league and, as a result, the team were left languishing at rock-bottom in the standings.
However, Gabriel Obertan's strike against the Foxes prompted an upturn in fortunes as the Toon followed up a first league triumph with another shortly after, stunning Tottenham Hotspur with a 2-1 reverse at White Hart Lane.
Midweek, as Liverpool awaited their fate in the Capital One Cup quarter-final draw, Newcastle claimed a 2-0 win over holders Manchester City at the Etihad to secure a berth alongside the Reds in the final eight of the competition.
Fowler expects St James' Park to provide a stern backdrop as the Reds look to return to winning ways in the league - and the former forward is calling on Brendan Rodgers' side to match their opponents from the first whistle in the early kick-off.
"As per the Hull game, everyone has been saying it's not going to be an easy game," Fowler told Sky Sports. "We know that the Newcastle players and the manager are under a little bit of pressure to try and get results.
"It will be a tough game for Liverpool, you can't go there thinking this is going to be a foregone conclusion. We've got to go there with the right attitude and with the right mentality.
"You've got to earn the right to win three points. It's no good just turning up and hoping that Newcastle struggle. We've got to go up there and play from the start and try to get to the performance levels where we were last season."