Liverpool return to Premier League action against Newcastle United on Saturday evening.
Ahead of the tie, the Reds know anything but a win this weekend could see them fall even further away from the current Champions League chasers.
Liverpool are struggling in the Premier League and are yet to pick up three points in the league during the calendar year.
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While there are a number of reasons for the decline this season, the injury issues facing Arne Slot have not helped.
Are you confident Liverpool will beat Newcastle United this weekend?
Dominik Szoboszlai during Liverpool v Barnsley - Emirates FA Cup Third Round
Credit: Liverpool FC/Getty Images
We are yet to win a Premier League game in 2026…
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The fact that no senior right-backs are available against Newcastle means Slot will most likely need to play a midfielder out of position.
It will leave zero quality cover in the pivot for Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister, with midfield in general a problem area this season.
Slot doesn’t seem to trust Wataru Endo in the centre of the pitch, while Curtis Jones has come under fire in 2025/26.
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But not so long ago, Liverpool had one of the most dominant midfields in the Premier League, which included Georginio Wijnaldum.
How Georginio Wijnaldum has fared since Liverpool exit
Back in July 2016, Liverpool prised the Dutchman away from Newcastle United, who were struggling at the time.
Wijnaldum was largely used in an advanced role during his spell at St James’ Park, scoring 11 and assisting five in 40 matches when playing as a number 10 or off the left.
Under Jurgen Klopp, however, the now 35-year-old was moved deeper, forming a high-pressing midfield trio, which also featured Jordan Henderson and Fabinho.
Wijnaldum went on to make 237 appearances for the Reds, playing crucial roles in their 2019 Champions League and 2020 Premier League triumphs.
A year on from Liverpool winning their first-ever Premier League title, the versatile midfielder left Anfield for PSG, where he played 38 games.
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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Wijnaldum then had a brief loan spell at AS Roma before signing for his current club, Al-Ettifaq, in 2023.
The Saudi Pro League is now littered with top European stars of the past and present, and Wijnaldum is among the better performers this season.
He has taken up a more attacking role in the Middle East, featuring as a centre-forward and number 10 primarily.
This has seen the ex-Liverpool and Newcastle talent score nine and assist three in 16 league games for Al-Ettifaq, whom he is now captain of, this term.
In comparison, Real Madrid icon Karim Benzema has found the back of the net eight times at Al Ittihad, while Darwin Nunez has six in 15 for Al Hilal.
Karim Benzema during Al Ittihad v Al Shabab - Saudi Pro League
Photo by Yasser Bakhsh/Getty Images
Why Georginio Wijnaldum decided to leave Liverpool
When he left Liverpool, the midfielder was still really in his prime years as a player.
However, Wijnaldum explained the reason for his exit during an interview back in 2021, suggesting he no longer felt appreciated by people outside of the club.
He said: “There was a moment when I didn’t feel loved and appreciated.
“Not by my teammates and not the people at Melwood. From them, I know… I can say they all love me and I love them. It was not from that side, more the otherside.
“I would have loved to remain a Liverpool player for many more years but unfortunately, things went differently.”
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