Newcastle will be forced to look at other options in midfield with no Bruno or Joelinton at Anfield
Bruno Guimaraes is an injury doubt to feature in Liverpool vs Newcastle United
Bruno Guimaraes is an injury doubt to feature in Liverpool vs Newcastle United(Image: (Photo by Dave Winter/Shutterstock))
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Newcastle United skipper Bruno Guimaraes has not travelled to Anfield for the big Premier League clash against Liverpool.
The skipper was in Paris in midweek for the Champions League encounter at Parc des Princes. But he did not feature as Eddie Howe was not convinced he had shaken off the ankle injury sustained against PSV Eindhoven.
Joe Willock and Jacob Ramsey lined up in midfield alongside Sandro Tonali. Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon led the line and Kieran Trippier returned to the defence as United went back to a flat back four.
Crucially, the word coming out of the Toon camp is that Bruno has NOT suffered a setback or a fresh injury. Medics believe he is making good progress, but feel he is not quite ready to return.
It means he will be back in contention for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg at Man City. Speaking on Bruno yesterday, Howe had said: "Slightly unknown. He did really well to be with us in Paris. That was more down to the fact he was desperate to be there and support the players.
"We did very light training and he participated in that but it was next to nothing.
"He trained with us yesterday but that was more of a test. Let's see how he is today. This will be the day we decide."
However, both Jacob Murphy and William Osula were both on the team bus that pulled into Anfield. Murphy has not played since a hamstring injury, while Osula has been out with an ankle problem.
Also travelling was Fulham-linked Joe Willock, who scored in Paris on Wednesday, and has good memories of netting at Anfield after a strike in a 1-1 draw in 2021. Sources on both Tyneside and at Craven Cottage have denied reports of a £20m bid.
UNITED: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Burn, Hall; Willock, Tonali, Ramsey; Elanga, Barnes; Gordon
Subs: Ramsdale, Botman, Wissa, Osula, J Murphy, Woltemade, A Murphy, Shahar, Miley
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