LIVERPOOL and Newcastle round off today’s Premier League action with a mouth-watering contest at St. James’ Park.
The Reds finally recorded their first league win of 2023 against Merseyside rivals Everton last weekend.
And Jurgen Klopp will be hoping his side can build on that win against top four dreaming Newcastle.
- Kick-off time: 5:30pm GMT
- Live stream: NOW TV
- TV channel: Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League
- Newcastle XI: To follow
- Liverpool XI: To follow
Jurgen looking to see new players gel
Many people have questioned the likes of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo this season and their contribution towards the Liverpool cause.
Against Everton in the week, the front three seemed to have more of an understanding with Gakpo getting his first Liverpool goal against The Toffees.
Mohamed Salah is two goals short of equalling club legend Robbie Fowler’s record of 128 goals in the Premier League for The Reds.
Howe to find more goals
Newcastle have recently dropped points having dominated games but failing to put their chances away.
The Magpies are the lowest scorers in the top six, although they have conceded the least amount of goals in the Premier League this season.
He will see today as a chance for his side to get their push back on track against a side they hope to replace in the Champions League qualification places.
Chance to right some wrongs
Despite a very out of character season to date, this game can prove pivotal to The Reds’ season.
Victory for Jurgen Klopp’s side would see them close the gap on Newcastle in fourth position to only six points with a game in hand over the Geordies.
It would put serious pressure on Eddie Howe’s side in their search for a top four spot.
Welcome to Newcastle vs Liverpool
Newcastle welcome Liverpool to St James’ Park this evening, with Jurgen Klopp’s side being the only team to have beaten The Magpies in the Premier League this season.
Eddie Howe was forced to bring three players off due to injury in their recent draw at Bournemouth, where Allan Saint-Maximin, Miguel Almiron and Joe Willock all causing the manager a concern.
Willock is likely to sit this one out due to a hamstring concern, although he could return next weekend for the EFL Cup final.
The Newcastle manger is confident that both Almiron and Saint-Maximin can recover their minor issues to start today, along with Callum Wilson and Jamaal Lascelles.
Bruno Guimaraes will miss out due to suspension, while Javier Manquillo, Emil Krafth and Matt Targett will also sit this one out.
The lack of midfield options for the hosts will see Anthony Gordon start against the side he was once on the books of as a youngster.
Jurgen Klopp has received a big triple boost with the returns of Virgil van Dijk, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino to the squad against Everton and on-loan midfielder Arthur has returned to full training after thigh surgery.
The German manager will pleased to see the Anfield treatment room finally looking a little emptier in what has been a challenging season to date.
Despite this, Ibrahima Konate, Luis Diaz, Calvin Ramsay and Thiago all remain absent with the Spanish creative midfielder expected to miss several weeks due to a hip injury.
Liverpool are unlikely to change the winning side much after a big victory against Everton during the week but Klopp may decide to reintroduce van Dijk to his defence.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
