Newcastle United take on Liverpool at Anfield in what is a huge clash at the top of the Premier League. One team chasing the title; the other looking to get into the Champions League next season.
Liverpool are odds-on to lift the title in May. They are 11 points clear of Arsenal and showing no signs of slowing down. Their consistency has blown just about everyone else out of the water. In comparison, Newcastle’s inconsistency is what is letting them down – although as Eddie Howe pointed out in his pre-match Press conference, he’d take 13 wins from 16 league games again if that’s what inconsistency means.
Both sides have injury doubts for the game, which has the added intrigue of acting as a dress rehearsal for next month’s Carabao Cup final. For the Magpies, Howe will make a late decision on the fitness of Sven Botman and Joelinton after the duo were reported as being close to returns after their spells on the sidelines.
Botman’s fitness could be key. If he is passed fit, it could see Newcastle switch from their favoured 4-4-3 formation and adopt a back five, similar to how they approached the semi-final second leg against Arsenal at the start of February. Even if the Dutch ace isn’t ready, Emil Krafth could potentially come into the side to help bolster the defence against a potent Liverpool attack.
In midfield, Sandro Tonali will start after only joining the fray on Sunday from the bench, having experienced some hamstring issues. In attack, the regular three of Jacob Murphy, Alexander Isak and Anthony Gordon will go again, while Nick Pope is unlikely to be axed after just being given the nod by Howe against Nottingham Forest, despite an unconvincing display.
Liverpool, meanwhile, are at the end of a hectic run of eight games in 26 days but it’s unlikely manager Arne Slot will rest many of his stars against a Newcastle team that are now level on points with fourth-placed City in the fight for Champions League football.
One significant change in defence could see Kostas Tsimikas coming in for Andy Robertson at left back. The Scotland international has played a lot of football recently, so this may be an opportunity to freshen up the team, although the rest of the defence – Alisson becker in goal, the central duo of Ibrahima Konate and skipper Virgil van Dijk, with Conor Bradley’s injury meaning Trent Alexander-Arnold has to go again.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch is set to continue at number six while Curtis Jones keeps his place. The final spot is likely to be between Dominik Szoboszlai, who looked fatigued against Man City, and Alexis Mac Allister. The latter has a facial injury but has been passed fit which means he could start as the double pivot alongside Gravenberch.
In attack, Cody Gapko returned from injury at the weekend with an appearance from the bench and is likely to start on the left wing. With Mo Salah on the right, that just leaves the central striking position between Diogo Jota, Darwin Nunez and Luis Diaz.
Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Jota.
Newcastle XI (3-4-3): Pope, Schar, Botman, Burn; Livramento, Guimareas, Tonali, Hall; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
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