After securing four points in their last two Premier League outings, Newcastle United have a difficult challenge this weekend as they face table-toppers Liverpool at Anfield. The Magpies lost both their matches against Jurgen Klopp’s men last time around, and they will be up against it this time as well.
Steve Bruce has a few injury concerns ahead of the trip to Anfield, but if the Magpies could play as a unit, like how they did against Tottenham, they could get a point out of the game.
PREDICTED NEWCASTLE LINEUP vs LIVERPOOL (5-4-1)
Goalkeeper
Newcastle United’s No. 1 Martin Dubravka has started all four Premier League games this season, and he will be the man between the sticks for the Magpies against Liverpool as well.
Defence
Florian Lejeune has still not returned for the Magpies which means that the three central defenders for Newcastle against Liverpool will be Jamaal Lascelles, Fabian Schär, and Paul Dummett. The trio has started the last two Premier League games and was very impressive in Newcastle’s win over Tottenham.
At left wing-back, Jetro Willems could continue as Matt Ritchie is yet to recover from his injury. Summer signing Emil Krafth will most likely start on the opposite side at right wing-back in the Newcastle lineup. DeAndre Yedlin is another player who is out with an injury.
Midfield
The two central midfielders in the Newcastle lineup could be Jonjo Shelvey and Isaac Hayden after the injury to Sean Longstaff. Shelvey did not start the last two games for Newcastle, but he could return to face his former club.
Ki Sung-Yueng is another option if Bruce goes for a more conservative approach.
Christian Atsu, who made his first start of the 2019-20 Premier League season against Watford last time around, could continue on the left side, and provide added protection to the Newcastle defence. Miguel Almiron will play on the right side and be the one supporting the lone Newcastle striker. Almiron scored his first goal for his country Paraguay against Jordan this past week and will be high on confidence.
Attack
Joelinton, who scored the only goal in Newcastle’s win over Spurs, will start in attack and will hope to use his power and physicality to trouble the Liverpool defence.
