A DEFIANT Callum Wilson insists Newcastle United will be travelling to Anfield on Thursday ready to go “toe-to-toe” with title contenders Liverpool.

The Magpies suffered their heaviest defeat of the season as they were thrashed 4-0 at Leicester City on Sunday, but things will hardly get any easier when they travel to Liverpool in two days’ time before hosting league leaders Manchester City on Sunday afternoon.

Liverpool have lost just one of their 24 matches in all competitions this season, and are unbeaten on home soil. Newcastle’s recent record at Anfield is horrendous, with their last league win at the ground having come in April 1994.

Nevertheless, Wilson is adamant the Magpies will not be heading to Merseyside to make the numbers up, with their position in the Premier League relegation zone meaning they will almost certainly have to take points off clubs in the established ‘big six’ if they are to avoid being relegated this season.

“We know what Liverpool are about, and stuff like that, but we go toe-to-toe with anybody,” said Newcastle’s number nine. “We’re not going to be going there with a mindset that we’re already beaten – we have to pick up points off the big teams, and we’ve got one to start with on Thursday.

“We’re on the back of a defeat, so you want to get it out of your system straight away. Having another game in midweek, you have the opportunity to put it right.”

Newcastle claimed their first win of the season as they beat Burnley earlier this month, but much of the momentum generated by the victory over the Clarets dissipated as they shipped four goals at the King Power at the weekend.

“We’re disappointed,” admitted Wilson. “After such a good result at the weekend, when we got our first win of the season, to then back it up with a performance like that was a bit disappointing. No one’s to blame, it’s a team thing, but we need to pick ourselves up and go again in midweek.”

Newcastle conceded four goals for the first time under Howe on Sunday, but Wilson thinks the final scoreline flattered a Leicester side who scored twice in the final ten minutes as their opponents threw caution to the wind.

The Magpies were in the game until Jamaal Lascelles was adjudged to have fouled a tumbling James Maddison, with Leicester only really cutting loose in the closing stages.

“It’s always the way when you’re chasing the game, there’s going to be holes,” said Wilson, in an interview with NUFC TV. “If you lose the ball, or make a mistake and turn it over, they’re ready to pounce on the counter-attack. Obviously, that’s what’s happened.

“I think 4-0 has probably flattered them a bit in terms of the scoreline. We were behind in the game, but dominating spells with the ball.

"We just couldn’t find that final pass to unlock their defence really.”