Liverpool are expecting a hostile atmosphere when they travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Monday evening.
The Reds began their Premier League title defence in emphatic fashion, relying on Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah to wrap up the three points and cancel out Antoine Semenyo’s second-half brace.
Liverpool were caught far too open for both Bournemouth goals at Anfield, and although Slot’s men are favourites heading into the clash, they cannot afford to repeat the same mistakes against Newcastle.
Arne Slot manager / head coach of Liverpool during the Premier League match between Liverpool and Bournemouth at Anfield.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
And as news of Alexander Isak’s desire to join Liverpool continues to dominate the headlines, this is how the Reds could line up in the North East.
Predicted Liverpool XI vs Newcastle United
Arne Slot confirmed after the match against Bournemouth that Jeremie Frimpong will be sidelined until after the international break, meaning there is a dilemma at right-back to be solved.
Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker will remain between the sticks for the Reds until injury permits otherwise, and the Brazilian will be expected to start at St James’ Park.
Defence: With Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez’s fitness concerns heading into the clash, Slot will be forced to rely on one of his midfielders to fill the void at right-back. Therefore, it makes sense for Curtis Jones to retain his place in the starting lineup, but this time to deputise in defence.
Virgil van Dijk will be expected to line up alongside Ibrahima Konate as the preferred central defensive pairing at Anfield, with summer arrival Milos Kerkez completing the backline at St James’ Park.
Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch missed the Community Shield and the Premier League opener, but after serving his one-match league suspension, the Dutchman should return to the starting lineup to face Newcastle.
With Jones dropping into defence, Alexis Mac Allister should line up alongside Gravenberch, with Dominik Szoboszlai losing his place in the line-up, and Florian Wirtz will be expected to complete the midfield three despite the German’s lacklustre showing against Bournemouth.
Forwards: Salah silenced his critics by scoring his typical opening-day goal at Bournemouth last time out, and similar to Alisson, the Egyptian will be expected to retain his place for most of the season, injury permitting.
Hugo Ekitike rejected a move to Newcastle this summer in favour of Liverpool, and the 23-year-old should lead the line at St James’ Park after scoring in his first two starts for the Reds. Cody Gakpo is expected to complete the frontline.
Arne Slot is expecting an intense clash at St James’ Park
Although the Dutchman remained unbeaten against the Magpies in the Premier League, he suffered his first cup final defeat against Eddie Howe in the Carabao Cup last season.
Slot is expecting the hosts to make it a tough game for the league champions at St James’ Park as he recognises Newcastle as one of the hardest away trips in the top-flight.
“I think if you go to Newcastle, you know what to expect. We played them three times last season, and twice their intensity levels were above ours. In the away game, especially in the first 60 minutes, they were so, so, so intense and fully deserved to have the lead.
“In the League Cup final, they were more intense than us as well. So, I don’t think they need anything to add for them to be intense if they play at St. James’ Park.
“Apart from the intensity, it’s a very good team, they have also a team that can make it a fight if you want to call it like this, they have players for this, but they also have players that are so comfortable on the ball.”