Newcastle United will host Liverpool at St. James’ Park on Monday night, and the Alexander Isak saga may take a new turn in a fiery encounter.
Newcastle United were held to a goalless draw by Aston Villa in the opening game of the season; it remains to be seen whether they can get back to winning ways in Gameweek 2. The upcoming match vs Liverpool will be significant for Newcastle in more ways than one.
On the other hand, Liverpool had to battle hard for three points in Gameweek 1, as Bournemouth came from two goals down to get level at 2-2 before Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah wrapped up the win. The match showed typical grit and resilience by Arne Slot’s charges, although their defensive mishaps may pose an issue as the season wears on.
Apart from the need to pick up a win in their first home game of the season, there has been growing animosity between the fans of both clubs because of the Alexander Isak transfer saga. Both sets of fans will hope for a win here. It could be a crunch clash, and it would not be a surprise if the vitriol amongst the fans transcends onto the pitch as well.
Liverpool have an impressive record against Newcastle United, and they will look to grind out a morale-boosting away win here. The Hard Tackle takes a closer look at the encounter ahead of the latest meeting between the two sides.
Team News and Tactics
Newcastle United
The home team will be without Joe Willock due to a calf injury. Lewis Hall could miss out as well with a foot injury. Alexander Isak has refused to play for Newcastle United, and he is set to miss out as well.
Newcastle United will start in a 4-3-3 formation vs Liverpool, with Aaron Ramsdale in goal. Kieran Trippier and Tino Livramento will start as the full-backs. They will look to contribute at both ends of the pitch. At the heart of the defence, Fabian Schar will start alongside Dan Burn.
As for the midfield unit, Bruno Guimaraes will look to control the tempo of the game from deep and add creativity to the side. Sandro Tonali will add defensive cover alongside him. On the other side, Joelinton will add work rate and drive to the midfield.
Anthony Gordon will lead the line for Newcastle United vs Liverpool in the absence of Isak. Harvey Barnes and summer signing Anthony Elanga will start on the flanks.
Probable Lineup (4-3-3): Ramsdale, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton, Barnes, Gordon, Elanga
Liverpool
Arne Slot will be without Joe Gomez, who is suffering from an Achilles injury. Jeremie Frimpong has been ruled out until after the international break with a hamstring injury.
Liverpool are likely to shape up in a 4-2-3-1 formation vs Newcastle United, with Alisson Becker in goal. Dominik Szoboszlai and Milos Kerkez are likely to start as the fullbacks. They will look to keep things tight defensively and help out in the final third as well. Meanwhile, Ibrahima Konate will form the central defensive partnership alongside Virgil van Dijk.
As for the midfield unit, Ryan Gravenberch is expected to return here, and he will start alongside Alexis Mac Allister. The two players will look to add control and defensive cover to the side.
Florian Wirtz will start in the central attacking midfield role, and he will look to add creativity to the side. Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo are likely to start on either side of him. They will look to add pace, flair, and unpredictability to the side. Finally, Hugo Ekitike will spearhead the Liverpool attack vs Newcastle United on Monday.
Probable Lineup (4-2-3-1): Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike
Key Stats
Liverpool have scored at least two goals in 27 of their last 32 matches in the Premier League.
Liverpool are undefeated in 32 of their last 35 matches in the Premier League.
22 goals have been scored in the last six meetings between these two teams.
Four of the last five matches between these two teams have seen both sides get on the score sheet.
Liverpool are undefeated in five of the last six matches vs Newcastle United.
Player to Watch
Mohamed Salah
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This is likely to be a tough outing for Liverpool, and Newcastle United will be fired up for the game. They will need experience and quality here, and Mohamed Salah is our key player to watch out for. He has delivered for Liverpool time and again when it matters most, and the Egyptian attacker will need to step up here.
Liverpool will need him to create opportunities in the final third and score goals as well. The veteran attacker has not been at his best in recent weeks, but he still managed to get on the scoresheet against Bournemouth on the opening day of the season. It will be interesting to see if he can make a defining impact here.
Prediction
Newcastle United 1-1 Liverpool
Both teams will be desperate for a victory here, and this is likely to be a cracking contest. Neither side are defensive in their approach, and they are likely to create plenty of opportunities. They are likely to get on the scoresheet as well.
However, it will be difficult to separate Newcastle United and Liverpool. They are likely to cancel each other out and share the spoils. A goalscoring draw seems quite likely. The Hard Tackle predicts a 1-1 stalemate for Monday’s Premier League clash at St. James’ Park.