Newcastle vs Liverpool Preview: Team News, Likely Line-Ups, Key Man & Prediction

Premier League action returns as Liverpool take on Newcastle United at St James’ Park in Saturday’s early kickoff.

The Reds head into the weekend action sitting level on points with Arsenal at the top of the table and can put some pressure on their rivals with a win over Newcastle ahead of the Gunners clash with Norwich at the Emirates later in the day.

Brendan Rodgers side beat Crystal Palace at Anfield before the international break and recorded a resounding 6-0 win in this fixture last season, so should head to St James’ Park full of confidence.

However, Alan Pardew has admitted that thrashing was one of the worst days of his footballing career and is out for revenge this time around, and he should have no problem getting his players up for this one.

The Geordies beat Cardiff 2-1 last time out and currently sit 11th in the table, but Pardew will be hoping to build up a head of steam after a difficult start to the season.

Team News

Newcastle are without influential defender Fabricio Coloccini after the Argentinean centre-back was ruled out with a groin problem. Steven Taylor is also out with a hamstring injury so Frenchman Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa is expected to fill in at the back.

Attacker Jonas Gutierrez will also miss the game after being given permission to return to Argentina for personal reasons.

Liverpool have been boosted by the news that Glen Johnson, Joe Allen and Aly Cissokho are all available after recovering from injury.

Johnson is expected to come straight back in on the right side of Rodgers 3-5-2 formation after recovering from an ankle injury that he picked up against Man Utd last month, while Allen and Cissokho are fit again after recovering from injuries suffered way back in August.

Lucas Leiva is also available again after serving his one match ban but Philippe Coutinho remains out with a shoulder problem. There is no news over the return of Daniel Agger and Sebastian Coates is a long-term absentee.

Likely Line-Ups

Key Man

Luiz Suarez: The Uruguayan has hit the ground running since returning from his 10-match ban and we think he’ll once again be at the center of everything positive going forward for Liverpool this weekend.

Predicted Score

Newcastle 1-1 Liverpool: The home side are not going to make life easy for Liverpool after their humiliation last season and we can see them taking something from the game this time around.

What would be your starting line-up and whats your predicted score? Share your views below.