As we get closer and closer to what is surely going to be a heated affair on Monday at St. James Park, it's never too early to scope out key matchups and which players could make a difference.
With that backdrop in mind, I'm here to walk through the four most important Liverpool players that must be in the lineup come Monday or else it could be a long day at the office for Arne Slot's men.
There are some injuries to take into account, but a key player is also returning for this match. With that in mind, let's go through the four non-negotiable starters for Liverpool against Newcastle United.
1. Ryan Gravenberch
Oh happy day indeed! The Dutchman returning from a one match suspension is a huge boost to the entire Liverpool operation.
He was such a focal point in the defense playing so well last season. These days, his presence is even more essential with so many new faces still getting fully integrated into the side and his reading of the game and ability to cut out dangerous threats will be massive in this match.
He should be fully charged and ready for this one and his calmness both sitting in front of the back four, but also turning defense into attack with a subtle shift or turn, could be the key to victory.
Eddie Howe will surely set his team up in an aggressive manner, what with being in front of their rabid fan base, but also seeing his side dominate long stretches against Liverpool in the EFL Cup final.
Gravenberch is the the link between the defense and the forward-thinking midfielders, so he will need to be on his game from the jump.
2. Virgil van Dijk
He was back to being our rock against Bournemouth following a shaky Community Shield showing the week prior.
He has some rough memories at St. James park, having been shown red in this fixture a few years ago, so he will be eager to make amends and reaffirm his status as the best in the game by shutting down the Magpies attack.
He won't have to deal with Alexander Isak for obvious reasons, but that does not mean our hosts on Monday will be without any bite in attack.
Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon, Anthony Elanga and Joelinton all offer very different challenges for a defender on their day, so our No. 4 will have his hands full keeping things in front of him and stable.
Our captain lives for matches like this.
3. Hugo Ekitike
The Frenchman is enjoying a fantastic start to his Liverpool career as he has shown great hold up ability, movement and clinical finishing.
He is trying to make as much of an impact as he can before a player like Isak does potentially join, because his current starring role might come into question more times than not.
For now, Ekitike is a focal point of Liverpool's attack and he has shown great chemistry with all of the attacking players in the side. He has been such a natural fit that he feels like he has been in England for years.
The Newcastle defense is solid, but they are beatable on any given day. Ekitike's movement, both on and off the ball, will give Howe's side headaches all night long.
He's a must-start these days and his importance to the side can only go up with another sterling effort on Monday.
4. Florian Wirtz
We all know Mohamed Salah should start whenever fit and firing, so I'm going to leave him off this list in favor of the big-money German international.
Wirtz had a a workmanlike, but solid debut a week ago versus Bournemouth. However, he was not able to create a lot of electric goals for himself or others, although he did come close on a few occasions.
I expect the match on Monday to be an end-to-end affair that sees a lot of chances being created on both sides, which should fall perfectly into Wirtz's style of play.
His high-energy game will not be tempered by the raucous atmosphere it is sure to be, and I expect him to create or score at least one goal in this game.
Our No. 7 has a huge role to play and this match could be his welcome party to English football. For that, he needs to be plugged in the XI without question.