Premier League: Liverpool vs Newcastle United Preview

by
Chase Brittingham
September 13, 2019

Photo credit to Dickson Dagogo via Flickr

Liverpool vs Newcastle United Preview

Date: Saturday, September 14th, 2019
Time: 7:30 am (EST)
Network: NBCSN
Location: Liverpool, England
Venue: Anfield Stadium
Seating Capacity: 54,074

Thankfully, the international break has come to an end and club football is back. Action in the Premier League kicks-off in Liverpool. The unbeaten Reds face the Magpies, in what is likely to be an eye-catching encounter.

Newcastle has been the quintessential bogey team since their return to the Premier League. They were battered by newly promoted Norwich City and then proceeded to beat Champion’s League finalists Tottenham the following week. They have given Liverpool some issues in the past including a 3-2 match towards the end of last season. Liverpool’s blushes were spared by the always impactful Divock Origi who once again scored after coming off the bench.

Team News

Not much has changed for Liverpool as far as injuries go. Alisson is still out recovering from the calf injury he suffered against Norwich City. According to Jurgen Klopp, he is not expected back until the middle of October.

Luckily, news about the often injured Naby Keita appears to be more promising. The Guinean midfielder has not played since the Community Shield. Klopp said that Keita could be back as soon as next week after Liverpool’s Champion’s League clash against Napoli.

On the other hand, Newcastle have accumulated quite a long list of absentees early in the season. New signing from Nice, Allan Saint-Maximin was just returned from a hamstring injury. However, two weeks ago, in the victory over Tottenham, the Frenchman aggravated the injury and will likely be out until October.

Matt Ritchie, who has become a vital part of the Newcastle midfield is still mending after an ankle injury suffered after a tough challenge from Hamza Choudhury. According to manager Steve Bruce, he has made a “remarkable” recovery with the club initially thinking he would be absent for a few months.

Andy Carroll is back in training but has yet to play for Newcastle since his return over the summer. He is still work his way back to full fitness after a ankle injury back in March. Steve Bruce will likely be patient with the Geordie striker who has become known for being frequently injured. Newcastle will also be without striker Dwight Gayle as he works his way back from a hamstring problem.

American full-back Deandre Yedlin (groin), French defender Florian Lejeune (cruciate ligament), and Irish goalkeeper Rob Elliot (back) will all be missing. The trio are all still kept out from injuries dating back to last Premier League season.

By the Numbers

There is a ton of history between these two clubs. They first faced off in League Division Two in November of 1893. In the past, Newcastle got the best of Liverpool but things are much different now. In the past 20 years, Liverpool have been on top, winning 20 of their 36 match ups.

You have to go way back to 1994 to find the last time Newcastle beat Liverpool at home in the Premier League. Since then Liverpool are unbeaten in 23 attempts and have scored in all of their Anfield encounters.

If the Reds can find the back of the net twice on Saturday morning they will have scored 100 goals against Newcastle in the Premier League era. They would join Arsenal and Manchester United who have both scored over 100 goals against Everton. This is even more remarkable because Newcastle United have been in and out of the Premier League while Everton has been ever present.

Prediction & Line-Ups Liverpool vs Newcastle

Newcastle United XI(5-4-1): Dubravka; Krafth, Schär, Lascelles, Dummett, Willems; Almiron, Hayden, Longstaff, Atsu; Joelinton

Liverpool XI(4-3-3): Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Djik, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Fabinho, Milner; Salah, Firmino, Mané

The match loses a little of the hype without Rafa Benitez behind the wheel at Newcastle. However, Newcastle will definitely still cause problems. Thankfully for Liverpool fans everywhere, Salomon Rondon is no longer an issue after his transfer to China.

Although, his replacement Joelinton offers similar attributes. The Brazilian is an unknown quantity for Liverpool as he makes his way into Anfield for the first time. Along with the central defenders, Joelinton gives the Magpies some menace from set pieces.

Newcastle have speed and trickery on the wings from Atsu and Almiron giving them counter attacking potential. With that being said, they will likely be doing quite a bit of defending at Anfield.

I expect to see a familiar Liverpool line-up with only one exception. Giving Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain some minutes is key and this is an opportunity for Klopp to do so. His pace and long range efforts could prove to be crucial when coming up against a stout Newcastle defense.

With the Champion’s League group stage starting next week Klopp will be forced to rotate his squad. Giving match time to fringe players could ultimately be the difference to success on multiple fronts this season.

This Liverpool team is in mid season stride only four matches into the season. Meanwhile, Steve Bruce’s squad has been off to a slow start. A win against Tottenham is a good sign but their other results show work still needs to be done. I expect a dangerous Liverpool side at home to put the Magpies to the sword and continue their flawless start to the season.

Prediction: Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle United