Match preview
Liverpool travel to Newcastle on Wednesday in search of a win to consolidate their status as league leaders. The Reds approach the upcoming encounter off the back of a disappointing 1-1 draw at Anfield against West Bromwich Albion, a result that sent the club's 100 percent win record at home down the drain. It was a one off for Jurgen Klopp's men who, despite dominating in possession for the most part of the game, failed to break down Sam Allardyce's robust side. In the end, Semi Ajayi's late header did the trick for the visitors to tie the game at one-all while the hosts lived to rue their missed opportunities in the end.
The upcoming meeting with Newcastle United presents a different test but the objective to come out on top remains unchanged for Liverpool with the league table gradually taking shape. Despite the persistent injury crisis at the club, the Reds have slowly gathered vital points with a host of their prospects stepping up to fill the void. So far, the Merseysiders have only lost just a game all-season long and go into Wednesday's meeting with an unbeaten run that stretches back to the 7-2 humiliation against Aston Villa in October.
In a broader perspective, the Premier League's defending champions have won nine of the 15 matches they have played so far and have picked up five draws. In that, their away form has not been encouraging as just two wins and four draws have been recorded from the seven outings so far. Against Newcastle, they will hope to change that with Manchester United gradually closing in and stamping their identity as prospective title contenders.
The Magpies, on the other hand, will find joy in being party poopers amid their poor run of form. They enter the mid-week's league encounter with a 2-0 defeat to Manchester City on Boxing Day and will be looking for their first win in five Premier League outings.
The struggle to find some level of consistency has left Steve Bruce's men occupying 14th place on the league log with 18 points. With just five wins, three draws and six defeats, they currently sit seven points above the relegation zone. While it might be early days yet, the signs are not encouraging for the St James' outfit, with them registering three defeats and a draw in their last four outings.
Against Liverpool, a win should be able to take them close to the top half of the table although the task is not straightforward.
Team news
Newcastle will be without Jonjo Shelvey, Ryan Fraser and goalkeeper Martin Dubravka as a result of injuries. Skipper Jamaal Lascelles and Allan Saint-Maximin are still struggling with the effects of catching COVID-19 and will, as a result, be absent for the clash.
For Liverpool, Diogo Jota, Kostas Tsimikas, Naby Keita, Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Thiago Alcantara are all ruled out. Joel Matip is also expected to be absent but there is a boat in the side with James Milner and Xherdan Shaqiri returning to the squad.
Predicted starting XI
-
Newcastle United: Darlow; Manquillo, Fernandez, Schar, Clark, Lewis; Ritchie, Longstaff, Hayden, Joelinton; Wilson
-
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Jones, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane. Broadcast information.
Broadcast information
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
