Liverpool head coach Arne Slot has confirmed that it will be Dominik Szoboszlai playing right-back against Newcastle United with Jeremie Frimpong missing through injury.
Curtis Jones will partner Ryan Gravenberch in midfield. "Yes, it is [Szoboszlai]," Slot said on Sky Sports. "Joe Gomez not ready to start yet but he can have an impact in the game, starting comes too early. The best is Dominik Szoboszlai. He is still an attacking midfielder but because of his work rate and defending, we thought he could play there.
"It helps that Ryan Gravenberch is back because he's better at positioning than the midfielders we had last game. I am expecting Newcastle to go one v one all over the pitch. The moment they go to a low block, the freedom is there for the full-backs."
Gomez and Conor Bradley are only fit enough to take their place on the substitutes' bench after coming back from injuries recently. Frimpong will be absent until after the international break, which follows Liverpool vs Arsenal on Sunday.
"I think if you go to Newcastle, you know what to expect," Slot said in his press conference on Thursday. "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.
Liverpool's Federico Chiesa (right) celebrates scoring their side's third goal of the game with team-mate Dominik Szoboszlai during the Premier League match at Anfield
(Image: PA)
"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.
"So, one of the best teams in the league and one of the most difficult away games you can have in the season, especially as you say here, 'under the lights'."
Newcastle and Liverpool drew 3-3 in the last game they played at St James' Park. That was in the Premier League, but the North East sidealso beat the Reds at Wembley in the Carabao Cup final in March.