THE rivalry between Newcastle United and Liverpool is nothing new.

Ever since "Collymore closing in" and the sight of Kevin Keegan slumped over the advertising hoardings at Anfield, there's been an edge to the games between the two teams.

And yet in the last year or so, it feels as though that rivalry has been ramped up. Eddie Howe insists he's not sure that's the case, but there's been no shortage of talking points when the sides have met.

There was an angry exchange between the dugouts when Liverpool scored a 98th minute winner against the Magpies a year ago, and Klopp has had more than one dig at Newcastle's spending power. Only a couple of weeks ago, the Liverpool boss couldn't resist poking fun at Howe and assistant Jason Tindall after technical area rules were changed by the Premier League.

Despite the digs, Howe has an enormous amount of respect for Klopp, but the Newcastle head coach would never call the Liverpool boss - or any other Premier League manager for that matter - a friend.

 “I don’t really have a relationship with any manager, I’m competing against them, I find it very difficult to have personal relationships with competitors," laughed Howe.

"I’ve been the same as a player. I was not one to talk to players before a game, people who I knew on other teams. I draw a line, and so that is just how I have always been. I respect Jurgen a lot. I think he’s done an incredible job. He’s an unbelievable football manager but I draw the line at friendships because they don’t exist for me.

“When you grow up in a house of three brothers and a sister I think naturally you just compete for everything. You are fighting for attention I suppose. You are fighting for anything, then you start to play little games which I would create, games with my brothers I would want to win and so maybe it’s gone from there to there’s no such thing as a friendly, even now with my kids. I’ve got to try and win. That is built in me somehow."

Newcastle did their talking on the pitch last season, beating Liverpool to fourth place - and a home win when the teams meet in tomorrow afternoon's mouthwatering clash at St James' Park (4.30pm kick-off) would be a statement success at this early stage.

Howe said: “I think we have to compete hard. I think we have to do everything we can to win but this isn’t restricted to the top clubs, it is every team and we don’t underestimate the strength of the Premier League whoever we play, so it’s not reserved for Liverpool. It’s what we need to be as a team, to compete and try to win at this level.”

Despite Klopp's digs at Newcastle's spending power, Liverpool haven't exactly been shy with cash, tabling a bid in excess of £100 for Moises Caicedo before eventually missing out on the midfielder to Chelsea.

Given Klopp's past comments, Howe was asked what he made of Liverpool's transfer efforts and business - but didn't bite.

"I know what you want me to say," he said.

"The dynamic of football changes so quickly in terms of transfer fees. This time last year we were talking different levels of money and, in a year, they have jumped so high. For everybody, not just for us. I would never talk about another club openly, it’s nothing to do with me and none of my business what others clubs do. I can only talk about what we do."

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Ahead of the trip to Tyneside, Klopp has dismissed fresh speculation linking Mohamed Salah with a move to Saudi Arabia, insisting the Egyptian forward is “essential” at Liverpool.

Al-Ittihad have snatched Fabinho from Liverpool this summer, signing the midfielder for £40million, and have reportedly renewed their interest in Salah, who still has two years left to run on his contract.

The sums being mentioned are staggering, with a £60m fee touted for the 31-year-old, who could allegedly pocket £155m over two years to become one of the highest paid footballers in the world.

However, Klopp revealed Liverpool have had no contact from any of the big-spending Saudi Pro League clubs, adding any official bids exceeding even £100m for their star asset would be rejected.

Klopp said:  “We don’t have an offer, Mo Salah is still a Liverpool player, obviously for all the things we do, he’s essential and will be. There’s nothing there. If there would be something, the answer would be no."