Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Match Preview

For a game between two non-rival sides, there’s an extra sense of tension in this Newcastle United vs Liverpool fixture. St. James’ Park will have a buzzing atmosphere this Bank Holiday Monday, especially following Alexander Isak’s statement earlier this week as well as his continued refusal to play for Newcastle in order to push through a move to Liverpool.

Liverpool have an impressive record in this fixture. They are unbeaten in their last 17 Premier League meetings with Newcastle, winning 12 and drawing five.

Mohamed Salah’s individual numbers are just as strong. In 14 Premier League appearances against Eddie Howe’s sides, he has scored 13 goals and provided eight assists no player has a better record against a specific manager in the competition.

This clash of two sides is set up with opposite problems. Newcastle’s defence looks steady, but their attack is not completely reliable without Isak. Liverpool, meanwhile, have Salah, new striker Hugo Ekitiké, who had a great debut, as well as a squad full of attacking-minded players who can all create chances. Their main question remains at the back, with players still adjusting and some out with injuries.

With Isak unavailable, Newcastle are without a natural centre-forward. Eddie Howe has to rely on Anthony Gordon to continue playing out of position, although Howe says he has “no problem playing him there”. New signing Jacob Ramsey is available to play and is expected to make his debut, but Newcastle’s best strength remains their defence. Against Aston Villa on the opening weekend, they couldn’t convert their chances, but they dominated much of the game, and their back line was impeccable in a goalless draw.

Liverpool’s defensive situation is less straightforward. Jeremie Frimpong will not return until after the international break due to a hamstring injury, and although Conor Bradley is back in training, he will need to be slowly reintegrated into the squad. Joe Gomez is fit again, but Arne Slot admitted in his pre-match press conference that “20 minutes was already too much” for him last week.

Slot remained calm about the issue, saying there are plenty of options to fill in at right-back naming Wataru Endo and Dominik Szoboszlai, and noting he has previously played Curtis Jones in that position too. Still, Liverpool conceded twice against Bournemouth in their last match, and it was not their most convincing defensive display.

Liverpool will be looking to extend their long unbeaten run against Newcastle, while the hosts will hope their first home game of the season brings their first win. Both teams have problems to solve, but with the added tension of this already highly anticipated fixture, two high-quality sides should produce a game worthy of the occasion at St. James’ Park.