Liverpool vs Newcastle preview, team news, how to watch and prediction

Liverpool will be looking to extend their lead at the top of the Premier League table with a win over Newcastle United at Anfield tonight.

The Reds head into the game sitting top on goal difference from Aston Villa – who beat Burnley 3-2 on Saturday to move level on points with Liverpool. Fourth-placed Arsenal had the chance to leapfrog their rivals and move one point clear but the Gunners suffered a second consecutive shock defeat after losing 2-1 away to Fulham on New Year’s Eve.

It means Liverpool can now open up a three point lead at the top if they win their game in hand against Newcastle tonight. This is an opportunity Jurgen Klopp won’t want to pass up as he’ll be desperate to take full advantage of Arsenal’s slip-ups over the past week after they also lost at home to West Ham last Thursday night.

The Merseysiders are on a 12-game unbeaten run in the Premier League as they haven’t tasted defeat since the controversial 2-1 loss away to Tottenham in late September. Liverpool eased to a 2-0 win at Burnley on Boxing Day and will now want to continue their winning run with victory over Newcastle at Anfield.

The should be confident of picking up another three points as the Magpies head to Merseyside off the back of an awful run of form. They’ve won just one of their last seven games in all competitions and slipped to a 3-1 home defeat to Nottingham Forest after losing away to Luton Town just before Christmas.

Six defeats in seven games have left Newcastle sitting way down in ninth place in the Premier League table and 11 points off the top four. Therefore, the pressure is now mounting on Eddie Howe to turn things around and he’ll be desperate to pick up a positive result against Liverpool this evening.

How to watch

Liverpool vs Newcastle will be broadcast live on Sky Sports at 8pm on New Year’s Day. Subscribers can watch along on their TV, or stream via the Sky Go app on mobile or tablet devices.

Match going supporters will be keen to get a ticket for the game at Anfield but Liverpool matches are almost always sold out these day, even after the recent increase in capacity at Anfield. However, fans can still buy sold-out Liverpool tickets at reputed reselling sites online.

Team news

Liverpool will hand a late fitness test to Alexis MacAllister as the midfielder looks to make his return from a knee injury that’s kept him on the sidelines recently.

However, Klopp will still be without a number of other players for the visit of Newcastle. Andrew Robertson is still not back in full training as he continues to recover from a shoulder injury that’s hampered him in recent months.

Kostas Tsimikas is also out for the foreseeable future after suffering a dislocated shoulder against Arsenal so Joe Gomez should continue at left-back.

Thiago Alcantara is continuing his recovery from a hip injury that’s kept him on the sidelines for most of the season so he won’t be available for the visit of Newcastle tonight.

Joel Matip won’t play again this season due to a serious knee injury, Stefan Bajcetic is still out with a calf problem while Ben Doak is also unavailable due to a knee injury.

As for Newcastle, they also have a number of injury problems heading into tonight’s game. Sandro Tonali is facing another eight months on the sidelines due to a betting ban while goalkeeper Nick Pope is out with a long-term shoulder injury.

Jacob Murphy is also out with a shoulder problem, Harvey Barnes is nursing a foot injury while Jamaal Lascelles is out with a groin issue. Elliot Anderson is still carrying a back injury, Javi Manquillo is out with a groin injury, Joe Willock has a calf issue and Matt Targett is still recovering from a thigh injury.

However, there is some positive news for Newcastle as Joelinton has been passed fit to return after overcoming a hamstring concern.

Likely line-ups

Klopp is unlikely to tinker too much from the side that beat Burnley but MacAllister could be pushing for a recall if he’s passed fit. However, the Argentinean may have to settle for a place on the bench with Endo Wataru keeping his place after a decent run of form. Dominic Szoboszlai should also start in midfield while Ryan Gravenberch may get the nod ahead of Curtis Jones.

Alisson Becker will obviously keep his place in goal with Trent Alexander-Arnold starting once again at right-back. Virgin van Dijk should be partnered by Ibrahima Konate with Gomez making up the back four for Liverpool.

Mohamed Salah will start on the right flank once again while Luis Diaz could be recalled to start on the left after being named on the bench at Burnley. Klopp will then have to pick between Diogo Jota, Cody Gakpo and Darwin Nunez for the third attacking spot.

As for Newcastle, Alexander Isak will be the dangerman up front and he’s likely to be supported by Anthony Gordon and Miguel Almiron in attack.

Bruno Guimaraes could be partnered by Joelinton in midfield while Fabian Schar alongside Sven Botman in defence.

Likely Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Gravenberch; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz

Likely Newcastle XI:  Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Miley; Almiron, Isak, Gordon

Prediction score

Liverpool produced a superb late comeback to beat Newcastle earlier in the season despite playing for much of the game with 10-men. Klopp will be hoping for an easier ride this time around against an out-of-form Magpies side.

Newcastle have looked a shadow of the team they were last season and while injuries have played their part, Howe knows he should still be getting more out of the players he has at his disposal.

The Geordie boss will be hoping the intense atmosphere at Anfield will galvanise his players and bring out a top performance from his team. However, Liverpool are in great form right now so it’s going to be extremely difficult for Newcastle to get anything from this game.

The visitors have the potential to cause Liverpool problems but we can’t see past a routine home win tonight. Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle