The Magpies host Premier League champions Liverpool at St James' Park tonight
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe oversees training(Image: Newcastle United via Getty Images)
After winning just two of their last seven Premier League games, Newcastle United face a Liverpool side tonight fresh from the title-winning season and with a host of expensive new stars in their ranks.
Life in the top flight is rarely easy, but far from being daunted for the task this evening, the Magpies squad is relishing the challenge of taking on Arne Slot's men.
The first St James' Park home game of the new season is always special, and under the lights against a club who have not done themselves any favours on Tyneside with their public courting of Alexander Isak, the atmosphere is likely to step up a notch.
Eddie Howe has spoken of harnessing the feeling inside the stadium while sticking to the game plan, and it's those preparations which have been hammered out over the course of the last week which will be vital tonight.
While he may be struggling for bodies when it comes to the centre-forward role, Howe has plenty of options througout the rest of his squad as he, Jason Tindall and the coaching staff devised their tactics to get the better of Arne Slot and Co.
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The opening weekend saw a largely positive display in the goalless draw at Aston Villa, but the key downfalls of that performance remain unsolved.
United lacked a cutting edge, and while Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga in particular looked sharp, they missed the final touch of a traditional No 9.
So how will United line up against Liverpool? The short answer is it's likely to be very close to the side which started at Villa Park nine days ago.
Nick Pope did nothing to suggest Aaron Ramsdale should take over between the posts - indeed the United No 1 looked assured last weekend - while Dan Burn and Fabian Schar battled it out for the man of the match award.
That means Sven Botman and Malick Thiaw will have to be patient before getting their chance, while the same could go for Lewis Hall at left-back.
Tino Livramento and Kieran Trippier are set to continue in the full-back roles, with Hall ready to step in. Trippier's place could come under threat in the near future, but his experience in these games is a big factor.
There's no moving the midfield trio of Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes, even with Jacob Ramsey's arrival. The former Aston Villa man could challenge Harvey Barnes for a place on the left-hand side of the United forward line however, should Howe decide to freshen things up.
Elanga will probably keep Jacob Murphy out again, although he will want to make amends for that early miss when clean through at Villa Park. A goal against Liverpool would be the ideal retort.
It again leaves a strong bench, with Joe Willock potentially returning after training this week following a groin injury.
Newcastle United predicted line-up vs Liverpool: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton, Elanga, Barnes, Gordon.
Subs: Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Ramsey, Willock, Murphy, Miley, Osula.
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