Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool will visit St. James’ Park on Sunday to face Newcastle United in their third fixture of the 2023-24 Premier League season. Last season, Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United provided an awe-inspiring performance as they managed to grab a UEFA Champions League spot by ending their Premier League campaign in the fourth spot.
Interestingly, Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool was in fifth place, four points behind the Magpies. Since the Saudi Arabian takeover in October 2021, Newcastle has emerged as a credible contender for the UCL spots in the top tier of English football.
Nevertheless, a lot of things have changed in the summer transfer window as both sides have made a number of signings to bolster the squads. The Reds have gone through a complete midfield makeover while Newcastle has also signed a bunch of progressive contracts with new talents.
As compared to last season, the battle between the two sides is expected to result in a more memorable contest in this edition considering the blistering forms of Alexander Isak for the Magpies and Luis Diaz for the Reds.
Current Form
Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United squared off against Unai Emery’s Aston Villa in their first Premier League match of the 2023/24 season. Playing at St. James’s Park, the Magpies annihilated the Villans with the scoreboard reading 5-1.
Playing his first Premier League game, Sandro Tonali scored in the 6th minute of the match after a great one-two with Joelinton. Moussa Diaby equalled the score for Villa in the 11th minute with a cross from Watkins. However, Isak was quick to offer a lead to his side again. With a few substitutions in the second half, Eddie Howe’s side capitalized the second half well by scoring three more goals to win the match 5-1.
In the next match, they visited the Etihad Stadium to lock horns against defending champions, Manchester City. The defensive pairing of Fabian Schar and Sven Botman did a great job in the back by not letting Erling Haaland score at the home ground.
However, World Cup winner Julian Alvarez managed to find the back of the net following a brilliant through ball initiated by Phil Foden. By experimenting with tactics and strategies during the second half, the Magpies came close to scoring but none of the chances turned out to be fruitful for Newcastle as they recorded their first loss of the season.
On the other hand, Liverpool clashed against old rivals, Chelsea in their season opener. Playing at Stamford Bridge in a highly intense match, an almost new-looking Chelsea held the Reds to a 1-1 draw. Reece James was leading the Blues while Liverpool’s designated skipper was Virgil van Dijk. Dominik Szoboszlai and World Cup winner Alexis Mac Allister also made their Premier League debut for Liverpool against Chelsea.
Jurgen Klopp started the match with his traditional 4-3-3 formation, and it turned out to be fruitful as Luis Diaz smashed the ball into the net with the help of a flawless assist drawn by Mohamed Salah. However, the match was later equalised by new Chelsea signing, Axel Disasi in the 31st minute and it eventually ended as a 1-1 draw.
In the next match, Klopp’s men welcomed Bournemouth at Anfield. Andoni Iraola’s attack quickly rushed towards Liverpool’s keeper box as they managed to take the lead in just the 3rd minute after Antoine Semenyo’s shot left Alisson Becker stunned between the bars. However, the deficit was quickly filled up by Daiz as he scored a spectacular two-touch goal leaving Neto bamboozled.
Szoboszlai was later fouled in the keeper’s box and a penalty was awarded to the Reds. Salah missed the penalty but he eventually managed to find the back of the net on the rebound. In the second half, Diogo Jota made it three for the hosts as they sealed their first victory of the new season 3-1.
Head to Head Record
Newcastle United and Liverpool have always shared a furious rivalry. The two sides have locked horns against each other on 45 occasions. The Merseyside Red have won 27 matches while the Magpies have recorded eight victories. The remaining ten meetings between the two sides have ended in a draw.
The last match between Newcastle and Liverpool occurred in February, earlier this year at St. James’ Park. The contest was won by Klopp’s side with the help of goals from Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo. Moreover, the Reds also won their home leg against the Magpies after Fabio Carvalho scored an injury-time screamer last season.
Team News
Newcastle United will be looking forward to winning their second match of the new season
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe will be content as midfielder Joelinton will be available to play against the Reds. The Brazilian suffered an Injury and had to be taken out against Manchester City in their most recent fixture.
In addition to the Joelinton boost, the Geordies’ new signing, Lewis Hall will also be available to be selected against the visitors. However, despite his availability his selection seems unlikely in the starting XI. Moreover, Emil Krafth and Joe Willock will also be missing the match due to their older injuries.
Taking a look at Liverpool, Thiago Alcantara and Curtis Jones will be missing the Reds’ trip to Newcastle because of hip and ankle injuries, respectively. In addition to that, Ibrahima Konate’s muscle injury is currently being monitored by the fitness staff as his participation is presently under a question mark.
Trent Alexander-Arnold was subbed in the second half against the Cherries after he suffered an injury, but he’ll be available to start against Newcastle. Moreover, Mac Allister’s red card, which he got against Bournemouth was also recently overturned by the authorities after an appeal made by the Reds.
Predicted Starting XIs
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Sven Botman, Fabian Schär, Dan Burn, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Bruno Guimarães, Miguel Almirón, Alexander Isak, Anthony Gordon
Liverpool (4-3-3): Alisson Becker, Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil Van Dijk, Andrew Robertson, Alexis Mac Allister, Wataru Endo, Dominik Szoboszlai, Mohamed Salah, Diogo Jota, Luiz Diaz
Prediction
Newcastle United showed great promise in the first two matches and Liverpool will arrive at St. James’ Park with certain scepticism for the fixture after shaky performances from the new-look midfield in the first two fixtures.