After both sides were on Champions League duty on Wednesday night, Liverpool welcome Newcastle United to Anfield in the Premier League
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot
Liverpool head coach Arne Slot(Image: Peter Byrne/PA Wire)
View Image
Anfield will host a crucial Premier League showdown on Saturday night as both Liverpool and Newcastle United aim to reignite their top-four hopes. The Reds are still searching for their first league victory of 2026, while Newcastle are hoping to bounce back after feeling the absence of the influential Bruno Guimaraes in last weekend’s 2-0 home defeat to Aston Villa.
Earlier in the 2025-26 season, Liverpool built a reputation for snatching dramatic late winners, but fortunes have shifted in recent weeks. Their heartbreaking 3-2 loss at Bournemouth last weekend was a new low, as they fought back from two goals down only to concede a stoppage-time winner to Amine Adli. Astonishingly, Liverpool have now suffered three league defeats this season to goals scored in the 90th minute or later—more than in any previous campaign.
That loss on the South Coast brought an end to Liverpool’s 13-match unbeaten run and extended their winless streak in the league to five games, leaving them sixth in the table. Not since 1954 have Liverpool failed to win any of their first six league fixtures in a calendar year—a season that ended in relegation. However, Arne Slot’s side found some relief in midweek, thrashing Qarabag 6-0 to book their place in the Champions League last 16 and extending their unbeaten run at Anfield to seven games in all competitions.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have struggled for consistency, particularly without Guimaraes. Their concerns were realized against Aston Villa, as goals from Emiliano Buendia and Ollie Watkins condemned them to another home defeat. Since Guimaraes’ arrival in 2022, Newcastle have failed to win any of the nine Premier League matches he hasn’t started. Now without a win or a goal in their last two league outings, Eddie Howe’s men have slipped to ninth in the table, one of four teams on 33 points and five adrift of fourth-placed Manchester United.
Despite their domestic woes, Newcastle earned a respectable 1-1 draw away to Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain in midweek, securing a spot in the knockout round playoffs and stretching their unbeaten away run to three matches. However, they have managed just three away wins all season. Their last visit to Anfield ended in a 3-2 defeat, courtesy of Rio Ngumoha’s late goal, marking Newcastle’s 18th consecutive league game without a win against Liverpool. The Magpies have also failed to win in their last 29 Premier League trips to Anfield, highlighting the daunting task they face this weekend.
Liverpool vs Newcastle Team News
It’s another setback for Liverpool’s defense, as Jeremie Frimpong was forced off with a suspected hamstring injury just four minutes into the clash with Qarabag. Manager Arne Slot has already confirmed that Frimpong will miss Saturday’s match. He could be one of up to five defensive absentees for the Reds against Newcastle, with Giovanni Leoni (ACL) and Conor Bradley (knee) both ruled out, and striker Alexander Isak also unavailable. Ibrahima Konate (personal reasons) and Joe Gomez (head injury) are also unlikely to feature.
If Curtis Jones fails to recover from illness, Calvin Ramsay—who has yet to start a Premier League game this season—could be handed a rare opportunity, or Dominik Szoboszlai might be asked to fill in at the back, with Wataru Endo stepping into the starting lineup.
For Newcastle, fans were delighted to see Bruno Guimaraes return from his ankle injury, even though he remained an unused substitute during the draw with PSG at the Parc des Princes. However, fellow Brazilian Joelinton is set to be sidelined for several weeks due to the groin injury he picked up against Aston Villa, joining Tino Livramento (thigh), Emil Krafth (knee), and Fabian Schar (ankle) on the injury list at St James’ Park.
Jacob Murphy made the bench in midweek after recovering from a hamstring issue, but he is expected to make way for the returning Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon—both of whom are former Liverpool youngsters and past transfer targets.
Liverpool vs Newcastle
Hugo Ekitike to score anytime- Evens (Betfred)
Football Betting Offers
If you are on the lookout for the latest free bet offers, then look no further. Here, not only do we bring you numerous free bet offers, but all from the very best betting sites in the industry. Each bookie we recommend is fully licensed and regulated by the UK Gambling Commission, so you know you are always betting on a safe and trustworthy site.
Check out the Mirror Betting Hubs Free Bets offers here.
Full terms and conditions apply | gambleaware.org | Gamble responsibly | 18+ | UK only
Gamble responsibly
Reach plc is committed to promoting safer gambling. All of our content and recommended bets are advised to those aged 18 or over. Odds are subject to change too.
We strongly encourage our readers to only ever bet what they can afford to lose. For more information, please call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or visit gambleaware.org.