Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are back in action today after the international break as they welcome Newcastle United to Anfield. The Reds have won each of their four league games so far and look a formidable outfit, one that could prove too hard to beat for Steve Bruce’s men.
The Magpies were knocked out of the League Cup before the break but had pulled off a 1-0 win on their trip to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before that loss. They could take only a point in their clash against Watford before the break and will look to put in a solid performance, to try and take something from this game. But Liverpool have looked comfortable in all their matches so far and will be firm favourites to take all three points from this game.
Team News
Klopp’s trusted no.1 Alisson Becker is still out with an injury. The manager revealed that the Brazilian is out at least till the next international break. Nathaniel Clyne is the only other long term absentee for The Reds, who are hoping to see Naby Keita back in training before their next league clash at Stamford Bridge.
PREDICTED LIVERPOOL LINEUP vs NEWCASTLE UNITED (4-3-3)
Defence
Apart from a couple of nervy moments, Adrian has been relatively comfortable at the back for Liverpool and will keep his place in the Liverpool lineup.
The Reds are expected to stick with the trusted pairing of Joel Matip and Virgil van Dijk at the back. The duo will be up against a fresh physical force in Joelinton who will look to cause trouble in the handful opportunities he is likely to get.
Andrew Robertson and Trent Alexander-Arnold are easily the best pair of full-backs in the league at the moment. With Bruce expected to play a defensive system in this game, both the Liverpool full-backs will have to add creativity to the attack, while also keeping an eye on the likes of Miguel Almiron and Christian Atsu.
Midfield
Brazilian star Fabinho is currently one of the first names on the team sheet for Klopp. He will start in the defensive midfield role in the Liverpool lineup but might not be afforded the full 90 minutes, with Klopp surely keeping an eye on their Champions League clash against Napoli.
Jordan Henderson might drop to the bench, to try and stay fresh for that trip to Naples. Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, who Klopp has a lot of trust on, could make the midfield alongside Georginio Wijnaldum, who was on a goal-scoring streak in the international break
Attack
The Sadio Mane episode at Turf Moor before the international break seems to have faded away from memory. He and Mohamed Salah need to work in tandem if they are to break a Newcastle defence that has looked organized so far this season.
They will start on either wing with Roberto Firmino playing through the middle. The likes of Fabian Schar and Jamaal Lascelles will have their work cut out to keep this attack from barraging Martin Dubravka in goal.
Here is how they might line up:
