The 32-year-old single-handedly condemned the Reds to defeat during his first season in England when, in November 2000, he scored all four for Leeds in a 4-3 win over their big rivals.

Viduka struck after 24, 47, 73 and 75 minutes at Elland Road after Sami Hyypia and Christian Ziege had put the visitors 2-0 up and Vladimir Smicer's 61st-minute strike had restored their lead.

Seven years on, the Australia international will spearhead another assault on the men from Anfield hoping to play a similar role.

He said: "I got four goals against them one year - I would love that to happen again.

"Whether it does or not remains to be seen, but that was an exceptional game and one I will never forget.

"It is difficult to score four goals in 10 games, let alone in one.

"But it will be very tough. Liverpool are a world-class side - they have been European champions and runners up in the last three years."

That was the season Leeds famously reached the semi-finals of the Champions League, and Viduka's current employers are enjoying far more modest fortunes this time around.

Newcastle slipped into the bottom half of the Barclays Premier League table despite fighting back to snatch a 1-1 derby draw at Sunderland last time out, and return to St James' Park with much to prove.

Tomorrow's game represents their first opportunity to restore order on their own park after a scarcely believable nightmare on November 3 in which Portsmouth raced into a 3-0 lead within 11 minutes on the way to a 4-1 victory which left the Toon Army in rebellious mood.

Viduka, whose Croatian roots prompted a temporary divide - in purely football terms - in his household this week, said: "I didn't play in that game, but it was a shocker. There are not many games that start off like that.

"But we have got to stick together whether we win or lose. If we are 3-0 down, we are all 3-0 down.

"That is a very important thing for this team, for everybody to stick together and to be willing for the cause.

"We have had some bad results over the past month or so, but if we do get our act together, I think we could go on a good run.

"Football is a confidence game. It is all about the confidence and if we can do that and tighten up the holes we have had at the back and also play some nice football, we can get back to where we want to be."

Manager Sam Allardyce's efforts to win over his critics - he has ruled himself out of the race to succeed Steve McClaren as England boss, but speculation over his future persists - are not being helped by a continuing injury saga which simply grew in severity during the international break.

Michael Owen's torn thigh muscle could sideline him for up to six weeks, while Steven Taylor's back problem, which he aggravated while playing for England's Under-21s, much to Allardyce's annoyance, has left the 53-year-old with only one fit specialist central defender, David Rozehnal.

He at least has cover in attack, where last season's top scorer Obafemi Martins is likely to partner Viduka.

The former Middlesbrough frontman has been hugely impressed with the Nigeria international during his time on Tyneside, and is hopeful of quickly forging a partnership.

He said: "I have been very impressed with him. I don't think there are many players who can compete with him when he is in full flight.

"His main asset is his speed - I do not think I have seen a faster player."