Pardew worried Newcastle will 'freeze' at Anfield

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has warned his side not to be overcome by the intimidating atmosphere at Anfield as they go in search of their first win over Liverpool on Merseyside in more than 18 years.

Liverpool very much have the upper hand over Newcastle on their home turf, where the Magpies are without a league win against the Reds since 1994.

It was in that year Andy Cole and Rob Lee both scored to earn Newcastle a 2-0 victory, with visits to Anfield since then proving to be anything but fruitful for the north east club, with 15 defeats and one draw to show for their efforts.

Last season, Liverpool beat Pardew's side 3-1 in the same fixture, with two goals for Craig Bellamy and one from Steven Gerrard doing the damage.

Pardew hopes his team will have learnt from that experience and use it to their advantage to end their Anfield losing streak tomorrow.

"This particular side has only been there once. We're taking back more or less the side that played there last year so that will stand them in good stead," Pardew said.

"It's a fixture that you can get wrapped up in a little bit. It's such an emotional start, the way they build that game up, and you can get lost in that period.

"Sometimes teams are beat before they get there so hopefully we will get over that this time.

"Anfield is one of those places where that does happen. The build up is fantastic and if you're a football fan you have to go there to witness it.

"St James' Park can also create an atmosphere where you can freeze. You just have to hope it doesn't happen to your team."

The Reds have only won twice in the Barclays Premier League this term, against Reading and Norwich, and were knocked out of the Capital One Cup by Swansea on Wednesday.

Liverpool are currently two places below Newcastle in the overall standings in 12th place but they approach the clash in decent form, having strung together four games without defeat in the Premier League - their longest unbeaten run in 2012.

Like Liverpool, Newcastle have been busy in the Europa League this season, where both sides sit top of their respective groups.

However, the difference could be that Newcastle have had a full week of rest before the clash which Pardew thinks will give his side the edge.

"It does help us. At the end of the game I expect us to be fresher." Pardew said.

"We have struggled this year with a Thursday to Sunday turnover in the Europa League.

"Other teams have been stronger towards the end than us and that is something we are trying to overcome.

"We've had some fantastic games (against Liverpool). Ironically last year at Anfield it was a poor game, especially on our part, so we need to improve on that this time round.

"Both teams are striving to be top team and we both have our histories, and we will bring that to this game of course."

Pardew hopes Newcastle striker Demba Ba will be fit for the match despite missing out on training this week due to injury.

The Senegalese forward suffered a shin problem during last weekend's 2-1 win over West Brom but the Newcastle boss thinks he could recover in time to get back in contention.

"We're OK. Demba has had a knock but we think he has a good chance," Pardew said.

Midfielder Cheick Tiote will serve the second game of his three-match ban while Ryan Taylor, Haris Vukic (knee) and Dan Gosling (ankle) are ruled out.