NEWCASTLE UNITED have been warned about the prospect of a Liverpool backlash this afternoon as the Reds, inspired by a wounded Steven Gerrard, try to forget about their Carling Cup misery at St James' Park.

The Magpies are looking for a fifth straight win and are aiming to extend an impressive run of form that has seen them lose just once in 2005.

But Liverpool arrive on Tyneside hurt by the events of last Sunday when they lost to Chelsea at the Millennium Stadium, despite holding a narrow lead for most of the encounter.

Rafael Benitez's men have been criticised from their supporters for their failure to clinch Carling Cup glory and star midfielder Gerrard has been blasted by many on Merseyside.

Gerrard, widely tipped to move to Stamford Bridge in the summer, scored the own goal that sent the final into extra-time and Newcastle fear that terrible misfortune could work against them today.

And Graeme Souness' assistant, Alan Murray, believes the Magpies will have to be at their best to ensure the club's transformation in form continues this afternoon.

"Liverpool will be determined to put what they feel as a not bad performance right against us," said Murray. "They got a bad result but they kept Chelsea out for the best part of 80 minutes. But Liverpool have top class players and have resilience and character. They will be desperate to come back straight away and we are expecting a really tough game.

"Steven Gerrard is among the top three midfield players in our country and has nothing to prove to this club, certainly.

"He will come out all guns blazing and do the best he can. But he is not their only fantastic player and we have to be at our best to compete with them."

Murray was on press conference duty yesterday as Souness returned from his father-in-law's funeral and the No 2 hinted that Newcastle are one of the clubs to have put themselves forward for a place in the much-maligned InterToto Cup.

Two unnamed English clubs have applied to be considered for a place in the competition and Murray admitted that all avenues into the UEFA Cup have to be considered - even though they are in the last 16 of that tournament and quarter-finals of the FA Cup this season.

Newcastle could force their way into the Premiership's top six and there is a strong chance that even seventh place will guarantee a place in Europe this season - provided either Arsenal or Manchester win the FA Cup and remain in the Champions League places.

And Murray said: "We are in the results business and we have had four great wins in ten days, we are looking to push on from there.

"We can kick on and we haven't give up hope of getting in the sixth position. If we can continue the good work we have done in the past weeks we can sneak in the back door and we still have ambitions on that.

"I would imagine, everything being equal, that if the InterToto was the only way of us getting in the UEFA Cup then it would be something we would pursue."

Newcastle are likely to be without Celestine Babayaro today after the Nigerian picked up swelling on his knee, while midfielder Darren Ambrose will return to training next week after injuring is thigh.

Striker Patrick Kluivert has declared himself fit after a hamstring problem and the Dutchman should rejoin Alan Shearer in attack at the expense of Shola Ameobi.

Shearer made his 750th career appearance against Bolton last weekend and will make an incredible 400th Premiership appearance today - despite missing almost two seasons with serious knee injuries.

Their legendary captain is due to retire at the end of the season and Murray said: "All the senior staff hope he stays on but he's a big lad and can make his own decisions. We want to reassure him though that if he decides to stay we would love to have him around next year."