#st-james-park

#st-james-park

As number 39, he is the last player to be mentioned, but instead of the customary name check, the word Bruno is bellowed through the speaker and then boomed around the four corners of the ground in unilateral response. It is a way of recognising not only how important the Brazilian is to the team and Eddie Howe, but also the strength of feeling towards him from the supporters. His passion and emotion is infectious.

Ahead of the match, Liverpool faced a dilemma at right back. With Jeremie Frimpong sidelined through injury and both Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez still working their way back to full fitness, Arne Slot had little choice but to deploy Dominik Szoboszlai in the role. Though the Hungarian had picked up a few reps there in preseason, it remains far from his natural position.

Arne Slot just wanted to be sure. "St James' Park, it is, yeah?" the Liverpool manager asked in the lead-up to his side's game against Newcastle United. Slot will be left in no doubt where he is on Monday night. Geordies will make sure of that. This is Newcastle's first home game of the campaign. It's a bank holiday. And the champions are coming to town.