PreviewAndy Robertson interview: Newcastle challenge, consistency aims, Anfield and more
The Reds welcome the Magpies to Anfield in an 8pm GMT kick-off, with their sights set on a return to winning ways in the division.
Following defeat in the league at AFC Bournemouth last weekend, Arne Slot's side secured an emphatic 6-0 victory over Qarabag in the Champions League on Wednesday evening.
Now, they host Eddie Howe's outfit and Robertson wants his teammates to carry the momentum harnessed from the midweek performance.
"We hope so," he told Liverpoolfc.com of aiming for victory on Saturday. "I think that's what we've maybe lacked a little bit this season - consistency.
"That's what last season we were so good at. Every game we were spot on and we went on good runs and picked up the points where we had to. This season we've been a bit more up and down, so we need to try to find that consistency in the second part of the season if we want to achieve our goals at the end of the year.
"We need to start showing that. Obviously when you get beat in the league it's important that you respond quickly. Last Saturday [at Bournemouth] was hugely disappointing.
"It's up to us in front of our home fans on Saturday night under the lights at Anfield to go and show once more what a good team we can be. Hopefully if we do that then it's enough for three points."
Read on for the rest of our interview with the No.26…
On the confidence victory over Qarabag has given the squad…
It was obviously a good result. We knew how important the game was in terms of finishing in the top eight. Obviously, it saves us playing two extra games, it means we're seeded into the last 16 and things like that. So, we knew it was really important, we knew Qarabag obviously had a good Champions League campaign and picked up a lot of points.
We knew we had to be on it, and I think the lads showed that in their performance. I think we were really good. I think we punished their mistakes at times, and keeping a clean sheet and scoring six goals, you can't ask for more than that. Overall, it's been a good Champions League campaign.
On playing in a 'makeshift' defence against Qarabag and whether he lends his experience in that situation...
I think it's just you then have to talk a lot more on the pitch and things like that. I thought Ryan [Gravenberch] was outstanding, but it's obviously not as natural to him so probably me and Virgil [van Dijk] and Wata [Endo] have to maybe speak to him a bit more and things like that. Wata is so versatile and I thought he was excellent when he came on at right-back and thrown into the game early doors. It's never easy and Wata very rarely lets you down.
It was a makeshift back four, but obviously we made it work, and then as the game goes on and the manager starts making subs we've got Amara [Nallo] back on the pitch. I thought he was really good for the last 20 minutes when he came on. It was all round pleasing. It was a good night for us. I'm sure the fans enjoyed it, but it's up to us to give them more days and nights like that this season instead of some of the performances they've watched.
On having some memorable games against Newcastle recently, especially the late win at St. James' Park earlier this season...
Newcastle are such a difficult team. Especially under Eddie and they've got a really good squad now. They're competing in the Champions League and competing and doing well in the Premier League. It's never an easy game against Newcastle. We've always found it difficult, but luckily for us more often than not we've found a way as well, which is pleasing. St. James' Park is probably one of the toughest places to go in the league.
They always make it a fantastic atmosphere, and we've seen that at the start of the season and obviously Rio [Ngumoha] pops up with a goal so late on. It was disappointing in one way because obviously they went down to 10 men and we let them back in the game. But we found a way to win and obviously they'll come here trying to do the same. It's up to us to be at our best, they've got quality all over the pitch, but so do we and hopefully we can be on top come Saturday night.
On playing back-to-back games at Anfield and using the home crowd...
It's important that the lads give the fans something to shout about. The fans don't take too much encouragement. They're quite easily pleased in a good way, but we have to show that on the pitch.
We know what gets the fans going, we know what gets them with us and it's up to the lads on the pitch to go and do that because Saturday night, a night-time game under the lights, it doesn't take them much to get going and to get right behind the team. But we have to perform to allow that to happen. That's what we'll be focused on. We have to perform to a good level and then we know they'll come with us. It's important that we get back on track in the Premier League and hopefully three points on Saturday does that.