Liverpool will host Newcastle United at Anfield on Saturday evening and our LFC writers have had their say on what the starting XI should be
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - JANUARY 28: Marko Jankovic of Qarabag FK battles for the ball with Cody Gakpo and Andrew Robertson of Liverpool during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 match between Liverpool FC and Qarabag FK at Anfield on January 28, 2026 in Liverpool, England. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
Marko Jankovic of Qarabag FK battles for the ball with Cody Gakpo and Andy Robertson of Liverpool during the Champions League match at Anfield on January 28, 2026(Image: Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
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Arne Slot is all too aware that his Liverpool side must achieve a positive result against Newcastle United on Saturday night under the Anfield lights, in order to keep his side's top-four aims on track and relieve the pressure on himself.
The Premier League champions saw a 13-match unbeaten run brought to an end last weekend when they conceded a last-gasp injury-time goal against Bournemouth, losing 3-2 on the south coast in stomach-churning fashion.
The result saw Liverpool drop out of the top four, handing the initiative to rival clubs such as Manchester United and Chelsea.
Visitors Newcastle have had their own problems this season but victory at Anfield would see them leapfrog their hosts in the table.
With three points of huge importance for the Reds, Arne Slot will have to select a side without Conor Bradley, Jeremie Frimpong or Joe Gomez, giving the Dutchman something of a headache at right-back. However, centre-back Ibrahima Konate is, at least, back in first team contention.
A 6-0 mid-week drubbing of Qarabag in the Champions League will certainly have boosted player confidence, but Premier League opposition is a different animal, and Eddie Howe's side are sure to offer a tough examination of where Liverpool are at in their rollercoaster title defence.
With that in mind, the ECHO's Liverpool FC writers have selected their own starting XIs for the match against Newcastle, with a few riddles to solve in the process.
Paul Gorst
The major question, as is ever thus really at Liverpool, is who plays at right-back.
In truth, this is probably one of the easiest calls yet for that recurring conundrum given both Jeremie Frimpong and Conor Bradley are out and Joe Gomez is also sidelined. Step forward Dominik Szoboszlai: Liverpool's Hungarian Army Knife, who has been the outstanding performer of the campaign.
Ibrahima Konate's return is a welcome boost and I am going to recall Milos Kerkez, who will be suitably rested after not playing against Qarabag in the week. Alisson Becker and Virgil van Dijk complete the back five.
In midfield, I will give Curtis Jones the nod, the day after his 25th birthday, alongside Alexis Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman has all the tools, in my book, to excel as a centre-half but he does not need to be used there if it can be avoided, so he is back in the deeper midfield role.
Mohamed Salah starts once more wide on the right and Florian Wirtz gets the nod off the left, although the Germany international has the freedom to roam, which he will inevitably do. Hugo Ekitike leads the line.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Jones; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.
Ian Doyle
The Premier League is back after a full seven days away for Liverpool. But they Reds haven't won a game in the competition this year.
Newcastle United at home this evening represents the latest chance to address that failing. What, then, is Reds boss Arne Slot to do?
There'll be changes, but not many. And definitely not in goal. That's Alisson Becker.
At left-back Milos Kerkez can replace Andy Robertson while Dominik Szoboszlai is going to have to do his team a solid and return to right-back for at least this game. Ibrahima Konate is available so can partner skipper Virgil van Dijk at centre-back.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch can go back into his usual double pivot role alongside Alexis Mac Allister while Florian Wirtz is the number 10.
And up top, it's Mohamed Salah on the right, Cody Gakpo on the left and Hugo Ekitike down the middle.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Richard Garnett
I've lost track of how many different right-backs Arne Slot has deployed this season, but thanks to an injury crisis, he's going to have to make another change here against Newcastle.
Wataru Endo did a solid job when called upon against Qarabag on Wednesday evening, but with all due respect to the Azerbaijan outfit, stopping the likes of Anthony Gordon is a different task altogether.
I've no interest in seeing midfielders like Curtis Jones or Dominik Szoboszlai fill in at this position either and for that reason, I think it is time to lean on the experience and versatility of Andy Robertson.
The club's vice-captain has filled in the opposite flank to his natural position before - most noticeably with Scotland. And I'm backing him to do the same here in a back four with Ibrahima Konate, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.
The real battle for this match could be in midfield, where the Magpies are particularly strong. Liverpool are not blessed with notable ball-winners, but it would be smart to go with players who are street-wise.
With Hugo Ekitike back in the mix, it makes sense to revert to a 4-3-3, with a midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Alexi Mac Allister and Szoboszlai. Up front, I'd keep Salah in his usual left-hand side position and Ekitike through the middle, with Florian Wirtz on the right.
I much prefer Wirtz moving freely behind the striker, but it is paramount that Liverpool are solid in midfield on Saturday and the in-form German is more than capable of doing an effective job on the left.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Robertson, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Ekitike, Wirtz.