Ex-Liverpool defender Neil Ruddock has backed Andoni Iraola to get off to a winning start as Reds head coach this weekend.
Speaking exclusively to Walk On (courtesy of iGaming.com), Ruddock said he can see his former club securing a comfortable win at St James’ Park:
“Always back a 3–1 scoreline for Liverpool on the opening weekend! Liverpool to win 3–1 against Newcastle on Sunday at 4:30 PM. Get your money on it!”
Supporters will be delighted if Iraola‘s men do come away with all three points from a difficult away fixture.
There will be 2 new managers in the dugout
If Eddie Howe were still in charge of Newcastle, you would feel less confident about the chances of Iraola winning his first competitive game as Liverpool boss. St James’ Park has never been an easy ground to play at.
However, Sunday’s opponents have had to deal with serious upheaval in both the playing squad and the backroom staff over the past few weeks.
New head coach Matthias Jaissle has only been in the job since August 5th, while key players, including Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon, have left over the summer. You would think it is the perfect time to play the Magpies, all things being considered.
Newcastle vs Liverpool team news
The Reds will be without Joe Gomez (muscular), Giovanni Leoni (ACL), Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee) and Jayden Danns (hamstring), while Curtis Jones may have already officially left for Inter Milan by the time the game kicks off on Sunday.
Their opponents, meanwhile, won’t be able to call upon Joelinton, who has been ruled out for a couple of weeks with an unspecified injury. Tino Livramento also remains on the sidelines with a calf problem.
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