Who: Newcastle United..
When: Wednesday 31st August, 20:00 BST..
Where: Anfield..
Liverpool v Newcastle:
Liverpool are at home for the second time in a matter of days.. This time we face the multi-billionaire outfit from the North East Newcastle United.. Fresh off the back of our 9-0 win we will be looking to maintain momentum and add more points to the board.
Obviously this will be a tougher game as Bournemouth have just been promoted and Newcastle are now an established Premier League team with huge financial backing.. Will we be complacent I highly doubt it..
The Geordies have drawn their last 2 at home 3-3 to their Oil Rich counterparts Man City and away at the impressive Wolves 1-1 last time out..
In their other games they have beaten other Premiership newcomers Nottingham Forest at home 2-0 and drawn to another impressive outfit Brighton away 0-0.
Liverpool Team News:
Again nothing new here but for your records Nunez will be back for the Everton game and the cavalry should arrive around the same time if not shortly after.. Matip, Curtis and Ramsay have returned to training and could also be back for that one if not the bench for Newcastle..
Kelleher & Keita could be available sooner.. Thiago will be a bit later (mid September) and Konate & The Ox face much longer on the treatment table..
Harvey was taken off at half time against Bournemouth but Klopp seems to think he'll be fine for Wednesday night..
Newcastle United:
The Geordies are facing a few injuries themselves Wilson & Guimaraes are thought to be out for the short term. Shelvey & Krafth face longer spells on the sidelines. Their new signing Isak is still waiting International Clearance..
Allan Saint-Maximin limped off against Wolves with a hamstring injury and looks very doubtful. Keiran Trippier will also be assessed before the match..
Newcastle will set up in a 4-3-3 and sit deep for the first 20 minutes while they attempt to quieten the crowd.. They will though attack if the chance arrises during this period.. After this they will become more expansive and try to attack more..
They are very solid in their set up and can be quite capable of opening teams up on counter attacks out wide as well as through the middle when in possession.
Liverpool Team Sheet:
Again we don't expect. to see too many changes here if any..
Ali, Trent, Virg, Joe, Robbo, Fabs, Hendo, Harvey, Mo, Bobby, Diaz..
Maybe a little re-shuffle in midfield as games are coming quickly now but that should be about right..
Prediction:
Newcastle will set up strong though they are missing the heartbeat of their team in Guimaraes, Shelvey & Wilson to an extent.. Saint-Maximin will be a huge loss to the Geordies and a relief to the reds at the same time..
With this in mind their pace in attack will not be as potent.. Yet they are still a very attacking side on their day and will pepper the box with crosses to their target men. They will also look to break in to the box with Almeiron, Willock & Joelinton.. They also like to shoot so expect plenty of shots from outside the box too..
Liverpool on the back of that emphatic win will look to start the game in the same way.. Very fast and very much on the front foot. Once again that first goal and a clean sheet will be very important.. Remember the lights will be on too..
As a weakened Newcastle sit in we could quite easily strike early.. As much as they are strong. They are not too tight.. City opened them up at will at their place in the opening minutes.
If we can strike first then the longer the game goes on the more the holes will appear in that Newcastle back line. Wolves should've hit them for 4 or 5 before their late equaliser.. Our counter attacks could prove very fruitful in that scenario..
The midfield will have to work hard to keep the shots and crosses out as will our wide attackers to help the full backs and midfield out.. The defence will have to be resilient and on their toes..
So an early goal would make this game a load easier.. If not stay on that front foot with a bit of patience. They are nothing we haven't faced before and will face a lot stronger over the coming weeks. So another match for the defence to steady the ship. Ali will be important dominating his box. Coming off his line and clearing crosses..
3-0 to them mighty reds
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