Liverpool vs Newcastle United preview, predictions & possible XIs
Liverpool host Newcastle United on Saturday looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table.
Jurgen Klopp’s men are the only remaining side in the English top-flight to have a 100% record so far, having recorded victories over Norwich City, Southampton, Arsenal and Burnley.
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Newcastle, meanwhile, are unbeaten in their last two league games, picking up a 1-0 win away at Spurs before drawing 1-1 with Watford.
That run has lifted the Magpies to 14th in the Premier League table after losing their opening two games against Arsenal and Norwich.
When is Liverpool vs Newcastle and where can I watch live?
Competition: Premier League
Venue: Anfield
Date: Saturday, 14 September 2019
Kick-off: 12:30 PM BST
TV coverage (UK): BT Sport 1 & BT Sport 1 HD
Last five meetings: Liverpool vs Newcastle
04 May 2019: Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool (Premier League)
26 Dec 2018: Liverpool 4-0 Newcastle (Premier League)
03 Mar 2018: Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle (Premier League)
01 Oct 2017: Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool (Premier League)
23 Apr 2016: Liverpool 2-2 Newcastle (Premier League)
Aggregate Score: Liverpool (WWWDD) 12-5 Newcastle (LLLDD)
Ones to watch
Liverpool: Andy Robertson
If there’s one player in the Premier League right now who hates international breaks, it has to be Andy Robertson. The left-back goes from buccaneering brilliance and hero status in the red of Liverpool to mistake-prone madness and fan fury in the blue of Scotland in a matter of days. The latest clutch of international fixtures has been no different, with Scotland losing 2-1 and 4-0 respectively to Russia and Belgium, with Robertson culpable and underwhelming in equal measure.
Saturday’s clash with Newcastle gives the 25-year-old a chance to get back in front of his beloved Anfield crowd and show us all why he’s still the main contender for the “Best Left-Back in the Premier League” title. On his day, Robertson is rock solid in defence, ruthlessly effective in attack so energetic, he could probably power the L4 postcode on his own. He and fellow full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold have become indispensable figures in Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Key stat: Robertson has more successful crosses from open play (6) than any other Liverpool player in the Premier League this season.
Newcastle United: Miguel Almiron
“But he hasn’t scored or assisted yet.”
Looking at the cold, obvious stats, Miguel Almiron’s short spell at Newcastle United so far hasn’t been anything spectacular. Dig a little deeper, though, and you’ll see just how important the Paraguayan has been to the Magpies since joining from Atlanta United in January.
Almiron’s relentless energy in the press, coupled with his dribbling skills and directness, added a totally different dimension to Rafael Benitez’s side last season and Steve Bruce has already noted his importance since taking the reins at St James’ Park.
“Since I’ve walked through the door, I’ve been pleasantly surprised at what a good player he is,” Bruce said.
Sure, he must start scoring goals and taking his chances soon, Newcastle need him to after losing Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon, but Almiron gives the Geordies the ability to play on the break against bigger sides and with direct dominance against the Premier League’s lesser lights. Confidence can be drawn from his first international goal for Paraguay on Tuesday night.
Key stat: No Newcastle player has completed more dribbles (5) in the Premier League than Almiron this season.
Team news
Liverpool
Alisson and Nathanial Clyne remain sidelined but Klopp could be boosted by the return of midfielder Naby Keita, who has been recovering from a groin injury. That said, given their recent form, Klopp is unlikely to make too many changes to the XI that beat Burnley before the international break.
Predicted XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Mane, Firmino
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Newcastle United
Newcastle will have to cope without a number of first-team players through injury, including Jack Colback, Florian Lejeune, Andy Carroll, Allan Saint-Maximin and Matt Ritchie.
DeAndre Yedlin and Dwight Gayle could return for Steve Bruce.
Predicted XI: Dubravka; Krafth, Lascelles, Schar, Dummett, Willems; Almiron, Hayden, Longstaff, Atsu; Joelinton
Squawka prediction
Newcastle could prove to be a more disciplined and tricky proposition for Liverpool than many expect but they still won’t have enough to stop Klopp’s machine.
The Reds have won all four of their games so far, scoring 12 goals and conceding three, with the likes of Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah looking just as unstoppable as they did last season.
Bruce’s Magpies will be high on confidence after going two games unbeaten and should put up a real fight. However, they just won’t be able to drag enough control of possession away from Liverpool to force the meaningful chances required.
Scoreline prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle United
