Joe Cole has stated what he expects from Newcastle United as they host Liverpool in their first home game of the Premier League season.
When the fixture list was released, neither set of fans could have predicted what would occur throughout the summer, which made this game one of the biggest of the season, even in August.
Newcastle United take on Liverpool at St James’ Park on Monday night, and while the teams have a historic rivalry, it has been taken to another level because of the Alexander Isak transfer saga.
Eddie Howe has confirmed that the 25-year-old will not feature for Newcastle against Liverpool, meaning it will be over three months since he last donned the black and white stripes. Isak wants to leave Newcastle this summer, having recently put out a statement claiming that promises between him and the club had been broken, and the relationship had crumbled.
The game should be electric, with fans flooding into St James’ Park for the first home game of the season under the lights. Gary Lineker thinks Newcastle will lose to Liverpool, but Joe Cole believes the Magpies could be part of another classic against the Reds.
Sandro Tonali holds off Curtis Jones during a Premier League game between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James' Park.
Photo by Stu Forster/Getty Images
Joe Cole predicts Newcastle United vs Liverpool
Following Newcastle’s goalless draw against Aston Villa, the hope was that a striker would be signed and he would feature against Liverpool.
Newcastle saw a bid for Yoane Wissa rejected, and now the striker is back in Brentford training. Howe will likely line up with Anthony Gordon up front, so fans will be hoping he can find the back of the net.
Chris Sutton predicted a Liverpool win, with the Reds only just edging it, but former Liverpool man Cole has backed the Magpies to get a point from the game.
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“This game could be another classic because it’s poised,” he said on a Premier League production show.
“I watch Newcastle and they are literally, I think, the best team at winning the ball in the midfield with Joelinton, Tonali and Guimaraes breaking. They’ve got pace, Elanga, Gordon, Murphy.
“So there has to be goals in this game. There has to be goals, I think it’s going to be an exciting one. And I think it could be a high-scoring draw.”
Newcastle United players must be up for the Liverpool game
The summer has been far from ideal for Newcastle, with Howe hopeful that more signings would have been made, and Isak would not have acted in the way he has.
However, the ill feelings from the fans can be relieved for a short period of time if Newcastle can secure a win against Liverpool, the defending Premier League champions.
The two goals they conceded against Bournemouth at Anfield prove that they are not completely unstoppable, so Howe must use his tactical know-how to break Liverpool down and get the three points fans are so desperate for.
Liverpool are without Jeremie Frimpong, and alternative Conor Bradley is a doubt, so Newcastle could do what they did to the Reds in the Carabao Cup final and dictate the tempo of the game.