Brendan Rodgers has fired a warning to Liverpool’s Premier League rivals, saying there is much more to come from his high-flying team.

The Merseyside club have defied expectations so far this season and they currently sit in second place behind Arsenal by virtue of a poorer goal difference.

Rodgers brings his strongest squad yet to St James’ Park on Saturday lunchtime when the Reds take on Newcastle. But, with Philippe Coutinho still sidelined, he believes his side can still improve considerably.

“We’ll get better as we grow together more,” said Rodgers, who welcomes back full-backs Glen Johnson and Aly Cissokho and midfielder Joe Allen.

“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.”

Liverpool hammered Newcastle 6-0 in this fixture last season and Magpies boss Alan Pardew is desperate to make amends.

Asked whether that result would motivate his players, Pardew replied: “You hope so. I’d like to think it puts fire in your belly because that’s what it should do. I have certainly got fire in my belly to get positive results and make sure they are distant memories.”