Newcastle v Liverpool.. Sunday 27 August.. 16:30 BST
Another tough away fixture
Let's get it right no away fixture is easy and we struggled a fair bit last season in this department. Not so much at Newcastle though as the game was won before it even started. With 2 quick fire goals and the keeper getting sent off it was a matter of closing the game out..
That being said St James Park is one of the best grounds in the country for a passionate fanbase. Very much similar to Anfield.. So the first objective is to silence them. Be that through a solid defensive start or a quick goal.. We just can't give them a chance to blow us out the water with one of our mistake laden shaky starts..
They have invested wisely in the summer with the Tonali signing and also Harvey Barnes from Leicester.. Equally so have we with Szoboszlai & AMac. Plus Endo is a shrewd bit of business.. It'll be a feisty midfield battle..
The score predictions went out the other day in our Facebook group and everyone is expecting goals.. With the added anticipation of a last minute winner. Which of course you wouldn't rule out although we normally save that for our place. So lets have a look at stuff..
Quick Stat Check.. The Reds have not lost at Newcastle since 2015. Drawing a couple and Winning 4.. The form guide this season is not a lot to go on of course this early but we have Won 1 & Drawn 1 (which you all know) Newcastle have Won 1 & Lost 1..
Liverpool Team News
Thiago, Curtis Jones & Konate are all slight doubts. None have to feature as we have adequate back up. Curtis & Thiago are thought to be back in full training next week while Konate faces a late fitness test as 'Playing 40 minutes against 10 men didn't help' as per Jurgen's Presser..
Liverpool Expected Line Up
Ali, Trent, Matip, Virg, Robbo, AMac, Szoboszlai, Gakpo, Diaz, Jota, Mo
Newcastle Team News
Newcastle are at pretty much full strength with 5 players out or facing late fitness tests.. New signing Lewis Hall, Joelinton, Manquillo, Willock & Krafth.. Joelinton should be ok to play. While Manquillo & Hall are being assessed..
Newcastle DangerMan
Alexander Isak.. This lad has all the attributes to be a star of the game. Still only young at 23 years of age he has plenty of time to mature. Yet he scores goals for fun. More so in a fluent dynamic team which Newcastle are slowly building. So he still needs to build on that consistency yet is a real handful..
The Game
As mentioned earlier you'd expect Newcastle to come flying out the traps.. Fired up by the fans. Thats how they roll.. On the front foot trying to get that early goal that could dictate the balance of the match..
Equally like last season Liverpool will look to soak it up and counter. If ever there was a stereotypical away match it is St James Park. Sit in for the first 10/20 minutes of both halves and things will start to open up.
This is a better Newcastle side than last season but still not as strong as they could possibly be in a few seasons time. Their forward line in particular minus Allan Saint-Maximin doesn't look as potent but the midfield looks good and the battle in there will be an interesting one.
Defensively they are ok and can be got at.. We are on paper a top class defence yet the old wobbles are still there. With Konate out Matip should come in and we have to set up strong.
The win is gettable. We will create chances and we've got to take them. The line up of our forward line is again interesting. It doesn't feel like its flowing quite so smooth. That striker role is still up for grabs and Nunez or Gakpo could own this given the chance.
PREDICTION.. 2-1 To Them Mighty Reds..
We have had lots of success in the North East over the years. It seems like a ground we know how to master. Possession is key in all areas. Nice patient build up and try to unlock their defence in and around the box.
An early goal for the reds would be epic and the spaces will then open up as they push forward where we could pick them off again. You would expect a school team to get chances against us at the minute.. So you'd expect The Geordies to score at some point.
Unless of course we finally click in and stop making silly mistakes. You don't get to the finals and finishing positions we have over the years with a weak defence. They need to turn up and play with confidence. Defend as a team.. Attack as a team..
With Matip around he is a major threat from set pieces along with Virg. With Szobszlai on corners this is an added weapon and you wouldn't rule out a goal from a set piece..
OurLFC DangerMan.. Diaz.. The Colombian has started the season really well scoring a goal in each of the opening games. He has still got to bring that consistency to the table after being out so long with that injury last season.
What he does bring is the unexpected. He can score and assist at any given opportunity. Trying to unlock the Newcastle defence he will be vital..
We will bring you match previews before every fixture. Share around using the links and let us know your thoughts on the match..