Liverpool are in for a hostile reception when they travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United in the Premier League.
The Reds beat Bournemouth on the opening day of their Premier League title defence despite Antoine Semenyo single-handedly clawing back a two-goal deficit for the visitors.
It was looking like two points dropped at Anfield until Federico Chiesa saved the day for the Reds by restoring the lead in the 88th minute, with Mohamed Salah delivering the final blow in stoppage time.
However, the English champions are facing a difficult spell of fixtures leading up to the September international break, starting with a clash against Newcastle.
Liverpool v Bournemouth - Premier League
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
The Magpies could only muster a 0-0 draw away at ten-man Aston Villa in their opening fixture, with Anthony Gordon leading the line in the absence of Alexander Isak.
Jeff Stelling predicts Liverpool to beat Newcastle United
Jeff Stelling has offered his scoreline prediction for the clash, speaking on talkSPORT, and believes the absence of Isak will ultimately lead to a Liverpool win.
“My game of the week on Monday night, in what could be termed the ‘Alexander Isak’ derby, as Newcastle hosts Liverpool. Isak scored in one of the games between these two sides last season.
“It was one of the games of the season, in fact, a brilliant three-three draw at St James’ in December. But without him, they lack a focal point. They lack a threat as well. They’ve not beaten Liverpool at home since 2015.
“And even though Liverpool wobbled defensively against Bournemouth on the opening weekend, I can only see them extending that run – Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool.”
TBR Football understands Isak is confident he will sign for Liverpool before the 1 September deadline, and movement is expected one way or the other once the small matter of the clash between the sides on Monday is out of the way.
The Swede dropped a bombshell statement on Instagram when he was due to appear at the PFA awards on Tuesday, breaking his silence on the saga and suggesting Newcastle had broken promises made to the player.
Alan Shearer admitted he would welcome Isak back at Newcastle if he returns to the first-team fold while the transfer window remains open, but this scenario is a highly unlikely eventuality as things stand, and he is not expected to be named in the matchday squad to face the Reds.
Liverpool will be without Jeremie Frimpong for the trip to St James’ Park
Liverpool are heading to the North East with a minor injury crisis after Arne Slot confirmed Frimpong’s injury will see the full-back ruled out until the international break.
Joe Gomez played the final 18 minutes against Bournemouth but is still returning to fitness, whereas Conor Bradley is also still nursing a slight injury concern.
Slot said: “The medical team was completely right about Jeremie to take him off because he’s out until the end of the international break. We felt Jeremie had an issue in his hamstring – the medical team did. They were right. A good call from them, as otherwise he could have been out for even longer.”