New and ambitious owners, a Champions League qualification campaign, and the vast potential to use it as a launchpad to better things.
It was all in the offing for Newcastle United when the last season ended. However, growth is very linear, and amid a barrage of injuries, the Magpies are now languishing in the battle for European places in 9th position, already out of UCL, albeit after a brave display, and the slate is about to get tougher.
They travel to Anfield to take on league leaders Liverpool on New Year’s Day where Jurgen Klopp has refreshed the spine of the team team after an underwhelming last season.
Supercharged by a new wave of hungry players, the team is thriving. Klopp looks re-energised, the team is syncing well, and another title is on the cards due to Manchester City slipping up and Arsenal showing chinks in their armour.
Can Newcastle cause an upset and bring their season back on track?
Here’s the match preview, team news, and prediction for the marquee fixture as the leaders take on struggling upstarts.
Liverpool vs Newcastle preview
The form book couldn’t look more different for these teams at the moment. While only profligacy and heroic defensive displays by the opposition have prevented Liverpool from winning all of their last five games, Newcastle have won only one.
The shocker came last time out when they limply surrendered at home to Nottingham Forest riding the new manager bounce with Nuno Espirito Santo.
Most worryingly, Newcastle’s defeats have come in eminently winnable games on paper. These include fixtures against Nottingham, Luton Town, and Everton, to name a few.
Injuries have taken a toll and the fatigue is spreading across the team.
Talking about injuries…
Liverpool vs Newcastle predicted lineups
Liverpool team news
Liverpool have the same crop available as their recent games with the long-term injury absentees like Joel Matip, Thiago, and Andy Robertson still some way away from returning.
One player who could return is Alexis MacAllister who will face a late fitness test to confirm whether he has shaken off his knee injury to be back for this game.
Klopp has a decision to make on the LB spot, with Kostas Tsimikas injuring his shoulder/collarbone last weekend. It could mean another start for Joe Gomez on that side.
Diogo Jota came off the bench against Burnley to make a scoring impact so his return is timely and he should start here in place of Cody Gakpo.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Van Dijk, Konate, Gomez, Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones, Salah, Jota, Nunez
Newcastle team news
For the Toons, it’s more about who they have available to play rather than who they don’t. Despite a shock loss in their last game, Eddie Howe doesn’t have much in the way of options.
The only change should be Joelinton coming in place of Sean Longstaff to add a bit more on-ball quality in midfield against Liverpool’s intense press.
Howe might be tempted to play Tino Livramento in Dan Burn’s place to tackle the pace and trickery of Mohamed Salah but history indicates he will prefer Burn’s experience.
Predicted Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn, Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Almiron, Gordon, Isak
Liverpool vs Newcastle prediction
Newcastle’s players are running on empty so the five-day break between this game and the previous one against Nottingham should be a welcome reprieve.
Even still, it is hard to look beyond Liverpool this time, with their players being extra motivated to extend their lead at the top after Arsenal fell to West Ham at home.
Expect Newcastle to give a tough fight to Liverpool, especially on the transition, but ultimately succumb to a fitter, better team.
FootTheBall predicts Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle.