Liverpool make the journey to Newcastle for an additional huge Premier League recreation on Wednesday, with victory seeing them not less than keep their nine-point lead.
Newcastle vs. Liverpool
Premier League (14) | St James’ ParkDecember 4, 2024 | 7.30pm (GMT)
The Reds secured their most vital win of the season up to now on Sunday, outplaying Man Metropolis and beating them 2-0 at Anfield.
Subsequent up is the midweek conflict with Newcastle at St James’ Park, as Arne Slot‘s aspect eye three extra priceless factors within the title race.
Right here’s all it’s good to know forward of the sport.
1. Who’s lacking for Liverpool?
Liverpool are driving excessive on the prime of the desk, made all of the extra spectacular by the variety of accidents they’ve.
Alisson remains to be lacking after a hamstring downside suffered at Crystal Palace in early October, however Slot expects to have him again earlier than the top of 2024.
Conor Bradley, Ibrahima Konate, Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota are all out of the Newcastle recreation, highlighting the problems they’re having to take care of.
Having Harvey Elliott again is a giant enhance, although, with Slot confirming that he’s “getting fitter and fitter.”
Federico Chiesa could possibly be within the matchday squad having rejoined full coaching after a collection of points.
2. Newcastle flattering to deceive underneath Howe
Newcastle‘s season has been hit-and-miss up to now, with the Magpies sitting eleventh within the Premier League desk.
There have been good moments, not least the 1-0 win at house to Arsenal, however Saturday’s 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace noticed them register an xG fee of simply 0.02.
Whereas Howe nonetheless feels comparatively protected in his job as supervisor, a couple of extra dangerous outcomes may see the strain on him improve.
Let’s hope that begins on Wednesday!
3. Potential Liverpool XI
Slot could have to concentrate on the relentless nature of Liverpool’s fixtures, however he hasn’t been one to rotate an excessive amount of this season.
The Reds’ beginning lineup is more likely to look much like the one which confronted Metropolis, with the spectacular Joe Gomez persevering with at centre-back.
Curtis Jones is a superb choice to deliver again into the midfield, ought to Slot need to add recent legs, whereas Darwin Nunez is pushing to begin, too.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Diaz, Nunez
4. Newcastle accidents & predicted lineup
Newcastle have damage issues of their very own going into Wednesday’s match.
Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles have been long-term absentees with severe knee issues, whereas Emil Krafth can be lacking.
In the meantime, Alexander Isak has been a doubt for the sport however has claimed that he might be match, which might be a lift given Callum Wilson shouldn’t be but 100%.
If the Swede is out, Anthony Gordon may doubtlessly lead the road, with Harvey Barnes coming in out broad.
Potential Newcastle XI: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Corridor; Bruno, Tonali, Willock; Gordon, Joelinton, Isak
5. Century of appearances for in-form Gakpo?
Mohamed Salah is making the headlines in assault, and rightly so, however Cody Gakpo is in nice kind in his personal proper.
The Dutchman discovered the web within the wins over Actual Madrid and Man Metropolis, and he now has six objectives in his final seven Liverpool outings.
Gakpo might solely have struck twice within the league this season, however he’s an more and more vital participant.
Slot could also be hesitant to depart him out on Wednesday, in what can be his a centesimal Liverpool look.
6. What Slot stated
Talking to the media on Tuesday, Slot mentioned the newest on Alisson, saying he’s biding his time with Liverpool’s No. 1:
“We’re simply ready for the second that Alisson is totally match, as a result of Caoimh is doing too nicely to place Alisson in purpose if he’s solely at 50 p.c.
“That might not be good for Alisson and never be good for the crew. He’s getting there. It’d take a couple of extra further days, however he’s getting nearer and nearer.
“Like I’ve all the time stated, the top part of rehab is all the time the interval the place you’re feeling like ‘OK, is he actually there or does he want a couple of further days?’.
“However he might be in purpose earlier than the top of December, if issues proceed like they’re now.”
7. Liverpool’s document at St James’ Park
Liverpool have loved loads of good days away to Newcastle, not least final season when Nunez dramatically scored twice late on to safe a 2-1 win for a 10-man Reds aspect.
In actual fact, they’ve received 5 of their final six journeys to St James’, with their most up-to-date defeat there coming again in 2015, when Gini Wijnaldum scored towards his future membership in a 2-0 win.
It’s now 15 matches unbeaten for Liverpool towards Newcastle, house and away, outlining their dominance within the fixture.
The Magpies have solely received two of their seven house league video games this season, drawing three and dropping the opposite two.
8. Goalless draw can be a shock
These dramatic 4-3 house wins for Liverpool over Newcastle within the Nineties are perpetually memorable, and it is a fixture that has all the time seen objectives in it.
In actual fact, there has solely been one 0-0 draw within the final 76 league encounters between the Reds and the Magpies, courting again to February 1974.
That tally stretches to 81, in all competitions.
The one stalemate was at St James’ in December 2020, in a behind-closed-doors fixture that you simply possible can’t keep in mind in any respect!
9. Andy Madley takes cost
Andy Madley will referee Wednesday’s match, taking cost of a Liverpool recreation for the primary time this season.
The 41-year-old oversaw 4 Reds league matches in 2023/24, together with the 2-0 defeat away to Everton again in April.
Madley’s assistants are Wade Smith and Craig Taylor, Anthony Backhouse is the fourth official and Stuart Attwell is on VAR.
10. Comply with the match with TIA
Newcastle vs. Liverpool is a part of Amazon Prime Video’s midweek protection, with kickoff at 7.30pm (GMT).
This Is Anfield‘s matchday dwell weblog might be underway from 6.45pm, with Henry Jackson within the chair this time round.
Come on you Reds!
