Liverpool and Newcastle United are set to go head-to-head in a late Premier League kick-off at Anfield on Saturday.
After more success in Europe, the Merseyside outfit are back in domestic action this weekend.
Arne Slot confirmed Jeremie Frimpong will miss Newcastle, but in some positive news, Ibrahima Konate is back in training ahead of the fixture.
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The Frenchman’s absence, for personal reasons, has left the Reds with just one senior centre-back in recent matches.
Meanwhile, Liverpool do not have a single fit right-back going into the clash with the Magpies.
Who could be Liverpool’s short-term right-back transfer fix?
Liverpool sporting director Richard Hughes watches from the stands as the Reds take on Chelsea in the Premier League at Stamford Bridge (Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones).
Photo Credit: Getty Images/Robin Jones
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Liverpool defence worries Paul Merson ahead of Newcastle
The backline has been a bit of an issue for much of the 2025/26 campaign so far.
Now, Paul Merson has commented on Liverpool’s inability to keep clean sheets in his column for Sportskeeda.
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When discussing the Newcastle game, Merson predicted a 2-1 home win and said: “It’s really weird what’s happening with them. They spent all that money and can’t keep a clean sheet in the league!
“We were sitting here at the start of the season, and when Liverpool bought Alexander Isak, we thought they will run away with the league title. It’s quite interesting how it has not panned out that way.
Merson went on to predict that Slot will go if the Reds fail to finish in the top-four this season: “If Liverpool fail to finish in the top four, I think Arne Slot will be gone.”
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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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Paul Merson names who will start at right-back for Liverpool vs Newcastle
With no senior options ready to feature, there are three or four potential names that could start at right-back on Saturday.
Calvin Ramsay from the academy is the only natural option, but he’s seen little game time this season.
Elsewhere, the midfield trio of Dominik Szoboszlai, Curtis Jones and Wataru Endo have filled in out of position previously.
Merson thinks it will be Szoboszlai who takes up the mantle on January 31.
He said: “After the injury to Jeremie Frimpong, I expect Dominik Szoboszlai to play right-back in this game. Newcastle have strong wide players like Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga. So I don’t think Liverpool will use Wataru Endo like they did against Qarabag.
“Szoboszlai is the best available choice at right-back because he has done quite well playing there.”
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