Liverpool against Newcastle has long been one of the Premier League’s most entertaining fixtures, with recent match-ups upholding a tradition of goals galore.
After the Toon’s resurgence as a genuine force in the league, some needle has also developed between the two clubs.
Alexander Isak’s protracted transfer last summer ramped things up hugely in that respect, although Liverpool‘s record signing will miss Saturday’s game through injury.
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Who on earth is playing at right-back for Liverpool vs Newcastle?
The rest of the XI picks itself, surely?
Liverpool Predicted XI vs Newcastle
Liverpool Predicted XI vs Newcastle
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No matter, Newcastle will need no extra motivation to be pumped up at Anfield, with no player wanting to win more than Anthony Gordon.
Gordon almost joined Liverpool in 2024, and as he prepares to face his boyhood club once again, he does so knowing that the Reds will not have a recognised right-back to shackle him for the third consecutive meeting.
Anthony Gordon could face best friend Curtis Jones
Rewind to March 2025 when Liverpool faced Newcastle in the Carabao Cup final, and Arne Slot was facing a crisis at right-back. Missing both Conor Bradley and Trent Alexander-Arnold, the Dutchman was forced to play Jarell Quansah out of position at right-back.
Interestingly, Quansah’s very first outing at full-back had actually come during the 3-3 draw at St James’ Park the previous August. Liverpool went into that game without Bradley or Alexander-Arnold as well.
Anthony Gordon for Newcastle in Champions League
Photo by Daniela Porcelli/Sports Press Photo/Getty Images
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After Quansah struggled in the cup final, Slot was forced to make do and mend against Newcastle yet again on his next visit to St James’ Park, when Dominik Szoboszlai lined up at right-back last August.
Weirdly, for a third time in succession and a fourth time in fifth meetings, Liverpool will be without a natural right-back when they play Newcastle on Saturday.
Szoboszlai could play in the position again, but it is more likely that either Curtis Jones or Wataru Endo come in to face Gordon. Jones and Gordon are best friends, and the Newcastle winger may be even more fired up to make an impact at Anfield if he’s lined up against his old pal.
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Dominik Szoboszlai during Liverpool v Barnsley - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
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Gordon should still be on Liverpool’s radar
It would be interesting to find out whether the fact that Gordon and Jones are best friends will factor into Slot’s thinking when he picks the team for Saturday.
Jones is the kind of character who would relish that kind of test, and that may just give him the edge over Endo.
In the meantime, expect Gordon to show why Liverpool should not be dropping their interest in him any time soon.
The Reds need a wide forward this summer, and the former Everton man is exactly the kind of profile they should be looking at. His stock has fallen a little at Newcastle this season, but as he is likely to show on Saturday, he can be truly explosive.
For Liverpool’s sake, they will be hoping to keep him as quiet as possible. But without a proper right-back to get on his case, we could be set to witness a Gordon masterclass.
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