Liverpool will kick off 2024 with a bang when they welcome Newcastle United to Anfield on New Year’s Day.
The Reds have been superb in the first half of the season, still only having lost once in the Premier League. After successive league draws with Manchester United and title rivals Arsenal, Jurgen Klopp’s side got back to winning ways on Boxing Day after beating Burnley 2-0 at Turf Moor.
Meanwhile, things look much gloomier for Newcastle. The Magpies have lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions and have suffered back-to-back league defeats to Luton Town and Nottingham Forest. To make things worse, they haven’t won any of their last 14 meetings with the Reds, losing 2-1 at St James’ Park earlier this season in dramatic circumstances.
Here is everything you need to know ahead of Monday’s clash between the two sides.
Liverpool vs Newcastle H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
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United Kingdom |
Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League, Sky Ultra HD, Sky GO, Sky GO Extra |
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United States |
USA Network, NBC Sports App, nbcsports.com |
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Canada |
fuboTV |
Liverpool may not have had the same volume of injuries as Newcastle this term, but the Reds still have some key personnel on the sidelines. One of those is Alexis Mac Allister who is currently out with a knee injury, although Klopp has suggested that he has a slim chance of facing Newcastle.
Kostas Tsimikas added his name to an injury list that already contains fellow left-back Andy Robertson, with the Greek defender breaking his collarbone in a nasty fall against Arsenal. Joel Matip is also out for the remainder of the season as Liverpool’s defensive blows pile up.
In better news, Klopp has suggested that Thiago Alcantara is not too far away from a return having not played a minute for the club this season, while youngsters Stefan Bajcetic and Ben Doak are both still out.
Liverpool predicted lineup vs Newcastle (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Jota.
Eddie Howe’s injury woes show few signs of letting up as the Magpies are without several players for the trip to Merseyside. Newcastle will be hopeful of having Jamaal Lascelles back in the squad after he suffered a hip injury against Luton before Christmas, while fellow defenders Javi Manquillo and Matt Targett are absent.
Nick Pope is still out with a shoulder injury, meaning Martin Dubravka will continue between the sticks. Harvey Barnes, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy and Joe Willock will all be unavailable on Monday, while Sandro Tonali remains suspended.
Newcastle predicted lineup vs Liverpool (4-3-3): Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento; Miley, Guimaraes, Joelinton; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
On paper, this should be relatively straightforward for Liverpool. Newcastle are in dire form and have lost successive games to struggling sides. With injuries aplenty, the Magpies certainly won’t be relishing a trip to Anfield.
Liverpool are in comparatively good form and are still yet to lose at Anfield this season. However, Newcastle remain a supreme threat and the pace of Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon could hurt the Reds in transition.
Klopp’s men should come out on top to kick the new year off in style, but it may be tighter than anticipated.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
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