Opinion
Looking at the Newcastle team v Liverpool.
Eddie Howe and his players are hoping to bounce back to winning form.
That cup win over Chelsea and then Premier League victories over Arsenal and Forest, followed by defeat against West Ham and that draw at Palace.
What better time to do so than against the NUFC bogey side and league leaders.
So what can we expect the Newcastle team v Liverpool to be?
**As a starting point, this was the Newcastle team v Crystal Palace:**
Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Willock, Gordon, Isak, Joelinton
Eddie Howe gave an injury and availability update on Tuesday morning.
The Head Coach making clear that Krafth, Lascelles and Botman will not be available for this Palace match.
Then Lewis Miley played for the Under 21s in the 3- 2 loss at Boston last night, so he won’t be involved for sure, as Eddie Howe looks to give the 18 year old plenty time and minutes at reserve level.
Eddie Howe said that Alexander Isak hadn’t trained as yet by Tuesday morning, after his hip injury forced him off at Palace. The Head Coach indicating that Isak would train on Tuesday and then see how he was.
**Anyway, my take on all of this, my best guesstimate of the Newcastle team v Liverpool is:**
Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Bruno, Willock, Gordon, Isak, Joelinton
So that would mean no changes.
Nick Pope was excellent on Saturday and the defence did well, under a fair bit of pressure. I can see the likes of Kieran Trippier coming in for some matches in this busy schedule but not tonight.
Sandro Tonali came into the team at Palace and was the pick of our front six (midfield and attack), so I can’t see anything but him continuing.
Then whilst Eddie Howe was leaving it up in the air about Alexander Isak, at the same time the striker was giving an interview to beIN Sports saying he has recovered well from Saturday and is fine to play.
With Eddie Howe clearly doing everything he can to ease Callum Wilson back into action, to avoid risk of injury as much as possible, I think for sure Isak starts and Gordon reverts to one of the wings.
Always a chance that maybe Sean Longstaff could come back in, with possibly Joe Willock most at risk. However, I think Eddie Howe keeps it the same, so long as no injury issues we don’t know about.
I thought Harvey Barnes did ok when he came off the bench and played on the right at Selhurst Park, but not enough to force for sure his way into the team.
I think instead, it will be Wilson, Longstaff and Barnes on the bench tonight, then once again that trio coming on sometime during the match. Hopefully to help see the win out…
**Newcastle United upcoming matches confirmed to end of January 2025:**
**Wednesday 4 December** – Newcastle v Liverpool (7.30pm) [Amazon](https://www.themag.co.uk/2024/12/watch-newcastle-v-liverpool-on-wednesday-on-amazon-prime-for-free-special-offer-newcastle-united/)
**Saturday 7 December** – Brentford v Newcastle (3pm)
**Saturday 14 December** – Newcastle v Leicester (3pm)
**Wednesday 18 December** – [Newcastle v Brentford](https://www.themag.co.uk/2024/11/we-cant-complain-about-newcastle-v-brentford-quarter-final-scheduling-advantage-united-newcastle-united/) (7.45pm) Sky Sports+ (Carabao Cup)
**Saturday 21 December** – Ipswich v Newcastle (3pm)
**Thursday 26 December** – Newcastle v Villa (3pm) Amazon
**Monday 30 December** – Man U v Newcastle (8pm) Sky Sports
**Saturday 4 January** – Tottenham v Newcastle (12.30pm) TNT Sports
**Weekend of Saturday 11 January –** Newcastle v Bromley TBC
**Wednesday 15 January** – Newcastle v Wolves (7.30pm) TNT Sports
**Saturday 18 January** – Newcastle v Bournemouth (12.30pm) TNT Sports
**Saturday 25 January** – Southampton v Newcastle (3pm)