The season thus far has surely been beyond the wildest dreams of the most optimistic Liverpool supporters. With the departure of Jurgen Klopp, most expected the Anfield outfit to struggle this term but, under Arne Slot, they are top of the table both domestically and in the Champions League. In the last week alone, Liverpool finally defeated Real Madrid in Europe before a home win over Manchester City that puts them in with a very serious chance of winning the title and preventing City emerging triumphant for the fifth successive season.
It has been a different story for Newcastle. West Ham’s recent win at St James’ Park came as a big shock and the draw at Crystal Palace suggested a side struggling to find consistency, disappointments for Eddie Howe after an excellent win over Arsenal. Newcastle are currently 11th in the table, level on points with Manchester United, but will take solace in the fact that things are so tight that they are just four points off the Champions League places.
Alexander Isak is unlikely to figure in this one after picking up a knock in that game against Palace. The visitors could be boosted by possible returns for Diogo Jota, Federico Chiesa and Alisson Becker. The return of Alisson between the sticks could be a major boost for Slot in the second half of the season as he looks to win the Premier League at the very first attempt. A win here after that victory over City would put Liverpool in a truly commanding position and leave the chasing pack with lots of work to do if they are to be hauled back.
Like a newborn baby, the hosts are struggling to keep clean sheets. Newcastle have not actually kept a clean sheet in their last three matches and haven’t managed one against Liverpool in their last seven meetings. Liverpool and Mohamed Salah are in fine form and goals should not be an issue here.
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Newcastle vs Liverpool odds
Venue: St James’ Park — Newcastle upon Tyne
Time: 7:30 p.m. GMT (2:30 p.m. ET), Wednesday
Form guide (league only)
Newcastle: 5-4-4, 19 points (11th); D-L-W-W-L
Liverpool: 11-1-1, 34 points (1st); W-W-W-W-D
Match prediction
Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
Howe has turned St James’ Park into something of a fortress and his side have generally performed best against the bigger sides this season. Liverpool are in impeccable form and a win here would be huge but their exertions against Real Madrid and City might just help Newcastle come out of this with a creditable point under the lights.
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(Photo of Trent Alexander-Arnold: Carl Recine / Getty Images)
