Newcastle United latest news: Liverpool are dealing with a crisis in defence ahead of their clash with Newcastle United in the Premier League on Saturday.
Liverpool have called-up teenage defender Amara Nallo to their squad to face Qarabag in the Champions League this evening with Virgil van Dijk the only senior centre-back available for selection.
Joe Gomez’s injury has ruled him out of featuring in their final league phase match, whilst Ibrahima Konate remains unavailable due to personal reasons. Arne Slot, who has come under pressure as Liverpool boss following his side’s struggles after a summer of lavish spending, admitted that he didn’t have a definitive timescale for Gomez’s return.
“No, not really. But I can confirm that he is not available for tomorrow evening.” Slot later added: “I expect him back in a relatively short time.”
Liverpool, like Newcastle United, have secured their place in the knockout stages of the Champions League but have not guaranteed themselves a top-eight finish. They will do that with victory over Qarabag this evening, but anything else leaves them relying on results elsewhere to ensure their place in the Round of 16.
Nallo, meanwhile, has made two senior appearances for the Reds under Slot - both of which ended with him being shown a red card. His first sending off came against PSV Eindhoven during last season’s Champions League campaign before the 19-year-old was then again dismissed during their clash with Crystal Palace in the Carabao Cup back in October.
Nallo was part of Liverpool’s ‘List B’ squad which is designated for young players, born on or after January 1, 2004 that have been at the club for at least two consecutive seasons. It is in this ‘List B’ squad where Magpies duo Lewis Hall and Lewis Miley reside.
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Nallo has yet to feature in the Premier League for Liverpool and was not the first academy graduate that Slot turned to during his central defensive crisis. Wellity Lucky was that man, but he suffered a hamstring injury which is due to keep him out for a number of weeks.
Nallo, therefore, could make his top-flight debut at Anfield on Saturday against Newcastle United. The Magpies haven’t won at Anfield since the mid 1990’s and were soundly beaten 2-0 there in February, just weeks before they faced off against Slot’s side in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Newcastle United injury and team news
Newcastle United, though, have a number of concerns of their own heading into tonight’s game against PSG and their trip to Anfield on Saturday (8pm kick-off). Both Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento remain sidelined with ankle and hamstring injuries respectively.
Joelinton has also been ruled-out of action for the foreseeable future after he picked up a groin injury against Aston Villa on Sunday. Dan Burn, the man who opened the scoring at Wembley in March, returned to the bench at the weekend but hasn’t kicked a ball since being injured against Sunderland last month.
There are also doubts surrounding the fitness of Bruno Guimaraes. The Brazilian has travelled to Paris with his teammates after being forced to watch the defeat to Villa from the St James’ Park stands. The Magpies are winless in ten Premier League outings that Guimaraes hasn’t started since he made his full debut for the club almost four years ago.
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