Liverpool (H) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction

For all the frustrations that came with that 2-1 defeat at Anfield, perhaps it sparked what went on to be a stunning end to 2022 for Eddie Howe’s Mags.

Five and a half months later, it remains the only Premier League game we’ve lost all season, giving us a big opportunity to move well clear of Jurgen Klopp's Reds on Saturday night.

Win and we'll be TWELVE points ahead of Liverpool. Lose and they'll be six behind us with a game in hand. After years of relegation six-pointers at St James' Park, this could be a defining night in the top four race.

Not only that, it feels like a huge moment to build momentum ahead of next week's Carabao Cup final. After a few flat displays, a few too many draws and an unconvincing display at Bournemouth last time out, this is a chance to get back to winning ways in our final home game before we head to Wembley.

Here's what Howe had to say in his Friday morning presser ahead of the game:

"I wouldn't say we owe Liverpool one. We owe ourselves to do our best in this game and to do everything in our power to try and win the match. I'm reluctant to use Liverpool as motivation for us - we shouldn't need that. It should come from ourselves.

“Our only way an our only chance is to go for it (against Liverpool). You can't play these games anything less than 100%. If you've got half an eye on the next game (Cup Final) you're in trouble."

Team news

Joe Willock (hamstring) is a doubt, Bruno Guimaraes remains banned and Callum Wilson is touch and go after missing the majority of training this week.

However, Allan Saint-Maximin and Miguel Almiron have been passed fit after both were forced off at Bournemouth, with Matt Targett close after returning to training this week.

For the visitors, Thiago, Ibrahima Konate and Luis Diaz have been ruled out, but Klopp has Virgil Van Dijk, Diogo Jota and Roberto Firmino available again after all three returned to the bench on Monday.

Predicted line ups

(4-2-3-1): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn – Longstaff, Joelinton – Almiron, Gordon, Saint-Maximin - Isak.

I can't see Wilson starting when he only trained for the first time this week on Friday. We need him to be back to 100% and risk losing him for the final if he's thrown in for this one.

Willock and Bruno's absence leaves us light in midfield, so I'm expecting Gordon to start in more of a number 10 role ahead of Joelinton and Longstaff; who seem likely to take up deeper roles.

Saint-Maximin against Alexander-Arnold would be a risk-reward battle which would go either way, but Howe has vowed to give the Frenchman a run in the side. If he gets another start, let's hope he gives the England international nightmares down our left.

Once again, I can't see us making any changes at the back. With Mo Salah looking back at it against Everton and Burn having a stinker at Bournemouth, we'll have to hope the big man is back at it for this one.

Prediction

Liverpool will be buoyed by a much improved performance on Monday, but they're facing a Newcastle side with a formidable home record.

We'll have to be much better than we were last weekend and must find a way to raise our game without the brilliant Bruno, however I can see the atmosphere lifting spirits and the players being determined to frustrate a side who got lucky at Anfield all those months ago

I'm expecting a very good game, a few goals and the game to end all square; a result that would benefit us more than the Reds.

Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool