Sixteen points from seven games, with five wins, would have been just about as good of a start as Brendan Rodgers would have hoped for his Liverpool side to make in the English Premier League this season.
Come Saturday evening, Liverpool will have the chance to go atop the Premier League if they pick up at least a point against Newcastle. Liverpool currently sit second in the table with the same points as league leaders Arsenal, who are top on goals scored.
Three points against Newcastle will take Liverpool to the summit at least for a couple of hours with Arsenal set to play Norwich later.
"We'll get better as we grow together more," Rodgers said stressing on the importance of improving with every game. "The Premier League is very difficult. I go on about performance because I don't just like to get three points; I worry about playing well and playing in a certain way. That's always how I've been.
"But I can't take anything away from how we've been so far. In terms of results, we've been absolutely brilliant. This is the most competitive league in the world. But it shows you how much growth there is still left in the team, that we can win games 3-1 and I can come away a little bit dissatisfied because of the performance.
"What I can't argue with is the work of the players, the honesty of the players, how humble they are and how willing they are to come in to train every day to be better. I've got a great group here that I think will get better -- that's something that we aim to do, always improve. If we can do that and continue to win games, then of course I'll be happy."
The last time the two sides met at St. James' Park, Liverpool thumped Newcastle 6-0 towards the end of last season, but Rodgers believes, even with Luis Suarez now back in the squad, a similar result is unlikely.
"In our game last year, we were exceptional up there in our performance level," he said. "We made a really good start, got an early goal and then our performance level from that was exceptional.
"With all due respect, it probably has no bearing on the game at the weekend. It's going to be a tough game, but we're full of confidence and real belief in the team. It will be a tough match for us but we're looking forward to it. We just need to maintain our commitment. We know every game is a cup final for us this season."
Newcastle are coming off a morale-boosting 2-1 win over Cardiff a couple of weeks ago, which zoomed them all the way up to 11th after a difficult start to the season.
A win over Liverpool on Saturday will take them to within three points of their opponents which just shows how tight this early phase of the Premier League is.
Team News: Rodgers has plenty of good news on the injury front with Glen Johnson, Aly Cissokho and Joe Allen all returning.
"They haven't played games, but they've been training now for the last few weeks," Rodgers said. "As I said, this will be the strongest available squad we've had this season."
Philippe Coutinho, though, remains sidelined, but Lucas Leiva is available after serving a one-match suspension.
For Newcastle, Alan Pardew will have to do without the services of Argentine duo Fabricio Coloccini (groin), Massadio Haidara (knee), Steven Taylor (hamstring), Ryan Taylor (knee) and Jonas Gutierrez (personal reasons).
Key men: Newcastle: It is difficult to look beyond the in-form Loic Remy, who has scored five goals in his last three appearances, including a match-winning double against Cardiff.
Liverpool: Daniel Sturridge will be buzzing after helping England qualify for the World Cup and the striker will be confident of linking up with deadly intent yet again with Luis Suarez.
Where to watch
The match is scheduled for a 5.15 p.m. (IST) start with live telecast on ESPN. You can also catch the match live online by clicking the official link HERE.
Expected lineups: Newcastle: Krul; Debuchy, Yanga-Mbiwa, Williamson, Santon; Tiote, Cabaye, Sissoko; Ben Arfa, Cisse, Remy.
Liverpool: Mignolet; Toure, Skrtel, Sakho; Henderson, Lucas, Gerrard, Moses, Enrique; Suarez, Sturridge.
Prediction: 2-2
