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‘We have solutions’ Klopp on Salah as AFCON exit looms
There’s only one New Year’s Day match in the Premier League this year as Liverpool host Newcastle in a tricky encounter as they look to extend their lead at the top of the table.
The Reds are currently level with second place Aston Villa but victory over Eddie Howe’s team would send them three points clear of their nearest rivals. That would also create a five point buffer over reigning champions Manchester City who look to be getting back to their dominating best after a one-sided win over Sheffield United.
In what is shaping up to be an extremely close title race, difficult matches such as these are must wins for to those looking to claim the Premier League trophy at the end of the season and there’s no room for error from Jurgen Klopp’s side.
For their part, Newcastle are hoping to get back to the good form they started this season with as they aim to jump closer the European places. Victory at Anfield would put them into seventh, above Manchester United, and leave them right in the mix to challenge for the top four.
Follow all the action from Anfield below, plus get the latest odds and tips right here:
Liverpool vs Newcastle line-ups
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Endo, Szoboszlai, Jones; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Livramento, Schar, Botman, Burn; Miley, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Joelinton, Isak, Gordon
Mike Jones1 January 2024 19:01
Liverpool vs Newcastle
Newcastle are winless in 27 away matches versus Liverpool in all competitions (drawn five, lost 22).
They last won at Anfield in the League Cup fourth round in November 1995, while their only Premier League victory there came in April 1994.
Mike Jones1 January 2024 18:55
Liverpool vs Newcastle
Liverpool are unbeaten in all 14 league games against Newcastle since a 2-0 defeat at St James’ Park in December 2015, two months into Jurgen Klopp’s reign.
Mike Jones1 January 2024 18:50
Newcastle must be ‘near perfect’ to end miserable Anfield record, says Eddie Howe
The Magpies will run out at Anfield on Monday evening having not won there in the Premier League since April 1994, when Rob Lee and Andy Cole were their goalscorers, and having lost their last five home and away against Jurgen Klopp’s men.
Newcastle came close to ending that run last season when they led through Alexander Isak’s debut goal with 29 minutes remaining, before Roberto Firmino’s equaliser set up substitute Fabio Carvalho to snatch victory for Liverpool in the eighth minute of stoppage time.
Mike Jones1 January 2024 18:45
Howe vs Klopp?
Will tonight’s match be a tactical battle between Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe? In part yes, but Howe isn’t focusing on that.
He said: “I don’t think it’s me against Jurgen Klopp, it’s Liverpool against Newcastle and that’s how we have to look at this game.
“As I said earlier, we have to be very, very good in every aspect of our game because if there’s a weakness in your structure or in your set-up, then they will find it. They’ve got quality players.
“It’s always a great experience to go to Anfield, it’s always a brilliant arena to play in. For us, we learnt some painful lessons last year. Hopefully we can use that experience to good effect this time.”
Mike Jones1 January 2024 18:40
Newcastle need to be ‘near-perfect’ says Howe
Eddie Howe knows that Newcastle have come through a difficult period and now have to take on the Premier League leaders at Anfield.
“There’ve been a couple of painful games against Liverpool, for sure – the game last season at Anfield was particularly tough for us.” said Howe of the recent history between the two teams.
“This season wasn’t any easier. I think the positive thing in both of those games is we performed really well and were competitive, and gave Liverpool a really good game.
“I think, for us, we need to be near-perfect in this game. I think this is a really tough game for us. They’ve performed really well at home especially, they’re consistent, a really good team. So for us, the challenge is that we need to re-find our best form and we need to be mentally very strong.”
Mike Jones1 January 2024 18:35
Jurgen Klopp on facing Newcastle and what’s to come in 2024
Jurgen Klopp spoke about tonight’s match against Newcastle and explained how he sees Liverpool’s current situation as Premier League leaders.
“Look, Newcastle did incredibly well and, OK, it’s unlucky you have that amount of injuries but then on top of that, you play international football, which they didn’t play now 50 times in a row.” he said, “So the whole system has to get used to that – I mean the system of the players.
“It’s completely different – if you have a normal training week or if you have pretty much only recovery and then have to go again for a big, big, big game. Premier League games are all big, Champions League games are all big. So that’s us a little bit. It was, for sure, a little bit of a problem but they still do really well and in all the games they lost they had really good spells.
“The games I saw – and the analysis only starts now really – they had really good spells, they have a really good idea. But at one point Eddie [Howe] had to play too often the same line-up, definitely, that’s clear with all these games. And the boys did incredibly well – I think he’s said that as well. You have to really give credit to the players for the effort they have put in. But it was pretty much the same line-up for a long, long time and then the guys who play all the time get tired and the guys who come back have no rhythm. We had that situation plenty of times.
“But now they have five, six days – like we have – between the games and that will help both teams, definitely. We played five games in 13 days – it’s absolutely insane as well. We somehow came through that but now it’s about using that extra recovery time because we are still in all cup competitions.
“That means we have a busy January as well, other teams probably have a lesser-busy January, which is then helpful, and we all have to get through that as well. From February on, we all have the same schedule again and then we will see.”
Mike Jones1 January 2024 18:30
Joe Gomez set for overdue Liverpool milestone after overcoming adversity
Gomez is set to bring up 200 Liverpool appearances in January after a time on Merseyside that has been interrupted by serious injuries and spells on the bench. Klopp admitted the defender had a difficult campaign last year and, partly due to injuries, he had only started 25 league games in the three seasons before this one.
Mike Jones1 January 2024 18:25
Liverpool vs Newcastle prediction
Liverpool will face a tough test against a resurging Newcastle side looking to get in contention of the Champions League spots.
Consistent performances and the Anfield crowd will spur on Jurgen Klopp’s men and ensure they edge a well fought contest and keep hiold of their place at the top of the league.
Mike Jones1 January 2024 18:20
Liverpool vs Newcastle predicted line-ups
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Jones, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch; Salah, Nunez, Diaz
Newcastle XI: Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Miley, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Almiron, Isak, Gordon
Mike Jones1 January 2024 18:15
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