Eddie Howe to make three changes?- Predicted Newcastle side to start vs Liverpool

With tonight's clash with Liverpool fast approaching, it's time to predict the side Eddie Howe will select at Anfield.

Isak has only just received his visa in time to feature, but Wilson, Guimaraes, Saint-Maximin, Krafth and Shelvey look set to miss out through injury.

With all of that in mind, here's the side we're backing Howe to select:

(4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett – Willock, Longstaff, Joelinton – Fraser, Almiron, Anderson.

OUT: Burn, Saint-Maximin, Wood? - IN: Targett, Anderson, Fraser?

At the back, I expect Matt Targett to come in for Dan Burn. The latter looks more comfortable at centre-back and may really struggle against Mo Salah, not to mention the fact we looked more balanced when the former Aston Villa man came on at Wolves.

The midfield could be unchanged given Guimaraes and Shelvey remain out, however I think we might see a few changes up top.

Wood isn’t really mobile enough to be part of a counter-attacking side that can hurt Liverpool on the break and I'm not sure Howe will throw in Isak from the off when he only became eligible to play a few hours before kick off, so I fancy Howe to play a false nine who is capable of running at the back and getting at the Reds’ high line.

With that in mind and Saint-Maximin out, I reckon we could see Anderson and Fraser out wide and Almiron in a false nine role. Perhaps Murphy is more likely to start than Anderson, but I’d back our fearless, talented and tenacious local lad to do a better job.

Predicted Liverpool XI:  Alisson – Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson; Salah, Firmino, Diaz.