Liverpool (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & prediction
It's a shame to see 2023 end so poorly for a Newcastle United side that have generally done us proud over the past year.
We've been to Wembley, secured a top-four finish, beaten Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Spurs and Chelsea, returned to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years - where we battered PSG in our first home game back - but a disastrous December sees us approach 2024 in the biggest slump since Eddie Howe and new owners arrived.
Our Boxing Day display against Nottingham Forest was pretty alarming. OK, it was a rare off day at St James' Park, yet we looked like a side lacking belief, ideas, organisation and, dare I say, that togetherness we always pride ourselves on. All of that has to change and quickly, with Liverpool, Sunderland, Man City and Aston Villa all to come in our first four games of the New Year.
Speaking ahead of our trip to Merseyside, Howe has had this to say on our recent slump and the challenge that awaits at Anfield:
“We have tough games coming up but they’re games we relish. We’re not daunted by it, we will attack it and give it our best shot. Recent results have been a challenge for us and the last couple of performances haven’t been as good as they can be so we’re determined to get back and produce our best football.”
"We've had a couple of painful games against Liverpool but the positives from both of those games is that we've performed really well and we were competitive. We need to be near perfect in this game. The challenge for us is to find our best form and mentally be very strong."
Team news
Joelinton is fit to start for the first time since our 3-0 win over Fulham and Jamaal Lascelles could return, but the game looks set to come too soon for the likes of Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Javier Manquillo.
For Jurgen Klopp, he'll be without Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and Joel Matip, but Diogo Jota is available again and Alexis Mac Allister could return after missing their last four.
Predicted XI: Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento – Miley, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
A couple of changes seem likely, starting with the return of Tino Livramento at left-back after Dan Burn was run ragged last time out. Against Mo Salah, we'll need Tino's pace and ability in one-vs-one situations.
In midfield, Longstaff has been off the pace since returning from an ankle issue, so I expect a fit-again Joelinton to come in alongside Bruno and Miley, with Isak keeping his place up top. Almiron is out of sorts and desperately needs a rest (or competition to put his first-team spot under pressure), but we're sorely lacking in options down the right, with Murphy still sideline by a shoulder injury.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
I think we'll see a reaction from that dismal Boxing Day defeat to Forest. There's character in this side and the gap between fixtures has also allowed us some much needed time to recover and train; for the first time all month, apparently.
However, we are facing a Liverpool side back in title contention and fear we'll come up just short. Hopefully I'm wrong, as it really would be huge to start the New Year with a big result on the back of such a disappointing December.
HWTL.
