New and impressive house owners, a Champions League qualification marketing campaign, and the huge potential to make use of it as a launchpad to raised issues.
It was all within the offing for Newcastle United when the final season ended. Nevertheless, progress could be very linear, and amid a barrage of accidents, the Magpies are actually languishing within the battle for European locations in ninth place, already out of UCL, albeit after a courageous show, and the slate is about to get harder.
They journey to Anfield to tackle league leaders Liverpool on New Yr’s Day the place Jurgen Klopp has refreshed the backbone of the workforce workforce after an underwhelming final season.
Supercharged by a brand new wave of hungry gamers, the workforce is flourishing. Klopp appears re-energised, the workforce is syncing nicely, and one other title is on the playing cards on account of Manchester Metropolis slipping up and Arsenal exhibiting chinks of their armour.
Can Newcastle trigger an upset and produce their season again on monitor?
Right here’s the match preview, workforce information, and prediction for the marquee fixture because the leaders tackle struggling upstarts.
Liverpool vs Newcastle preview
The shape e book couldn’t look extra completely different for these groups in the intervening time. Whereas solely profligacy and heroic defensive shows by the opposition have prevented Liverpool from successful all of their final 5 video games, Newcastle have received just one.
The shocker got here final day out once they limply surrendered at residence to Nottingham Forest using the brand new supervisor bounce with Nuno Espirito Santo.
Most worryingly, Newcastle’s defeats have are available in eminently winnable video games on paper. These embody fixtures towards Nottingham, Luton City, and Everton, to call a couple of.
Accidents have taken a toll and the fatigue is spreading throughout the workforce.
Speaking about accidents…
Liverpool vs Newcastle predicted lineups
Liverpool workforce information
Liverpool have the identical crop obtainable as their current video games with the long-term harm absentees like Joel Matip, Thiago, and Andy Robertson nonetheless a way away from returning.
One participant who might return is Alexis MacAllister who will face a late health check to substantiate whether or not he has shaken off his knee harm to be again for this sport.
Klopp has a call to make on the LB spot, with Kostas Tsimikas injuring his shoulder/collarbone final weekend. It might imply one other begin for Joe Gomez on that facet.
Diogo Jota got here off the bench towards Burnley to make a scoring affect so his return is well timed and he ought to begin right here instead of Cody Gakpo.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones, Salah, Jota, Nunez
Newcastle workforce information
For the Toons, it’s extra about who they’ve obtainable to play somewhat than who they don’t. Regardless of a shock loss of their final sport, Eddie Howe doesn’t have a lot in the best way of choices.
The one change ought to be Joelinton coming instead of Sean Longstaff so as to add a bit extra on-ball high quality in midfield towards Liverpool’s intense press.
Howe may be tempted to play Tino Livramento in Dan Burn’s place to deal with the tempo and trickery of Mohamed Salah however historical past signifies he’ll want Burn’s expertise.
Predicted Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Almiron, Gordon, Isak
Liverpool vs Newcastle prediction
Newcastle’s gamers are working on empty so the five-day break between this sport and the earlier one towards Nottingham ought to be a welcome reprieve.
Even nonetheless, it’s arduous to look past Liverpool this time, with their gamers being further motivated to increase their lead on the high after Arsenal fell to West Ham at residence.
Count on Newcastle to provide a tricky combat to Liverpool, particularly on the transition, however finally succumb to a fitter, higher workforce.
FootTheBall predicts Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle.