Liverpool v Newcastle – Preview, Predictions and Best Bets

Liverpool host Newcastle This match pits an unbeaten home team against the second-worst travellers in the division. The Magpies have lost five of their last seven matches and come up against the log leaders on New Year’s Day.

Liverpool Form

Liverpool are top of the table right now, two points ahead of Arsenal. They’ve lost just one league game all season and have seven wins and two draws in nine league matches at Anfield. After a 1-1 draw at Man City, they strung together four wins in a row. A 2-1 defeat at Royal Union Saint-Gilloise in the Europa League came in a dead rubber.

With 34 shots, they could only draw 0-0 at home to Man Utd a few days later before thrashing West Ham 5-1 at home in the Carabao Cup with 29 shots and 3.16 xG. After an even match ended 1-1 at home versus Arsenal, Liverpool churned out a 2-0 win at Burnley on Boxing Day.

Liverpool Team News

Jurgen Klopp is without Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas at left back so Joe Gomez will deputise. Ibrahima Konate will return to start at centre back whilst Joel Matip is out long-term.

Thiago Alcantara and Stefan Bajcetic are injured in midfield whilst Alexis Mac Allister could return from a knee problem to play this one. Diogo Jota is finally back from injury but will likely be on the bench despite scoring at Burnley.

Liverpool Motivation

At Anfield on New Year’s Day, expect a very attacking and intense approach from the Reds.

They will see Newcastle in poor form and won’t consider anything besides a win as a good result.

Newcastle Form

Eddie Howe’s team are limping right now. They have lost seven of their last 12 matches and have crashed out of the Champions League and the Carabao Cup. They were heavily beaten 3-0 at Everton and 4-1 at Tottenham before losing 2-1 at home to AC Milan. A 3-0 win at home over Fulham came against ten men for over 70 minutes.

Newcastle conceded late to draw 1-1 at Chelsea and lose on penalties in the Carabao Cup. A dire 1-0 loss at Luton Town followed as they played particularly poorly in the first half. On Boxing Day, they were surprisingly beaten 3-1 at home by Nottingham Forest in a deserved defeat.

Newcastle Team News

Newcastle are without Nick Pope in goal and Jamaal Lascelles is doubtful at the back. Dan Burn and Sven Botman should start but Kieran Trippier may need a rest after several recent howlers.

Sandro Tonali is banned but Joelinton may start. Joe Willock, Jacob Murphy, and Harvey Barnes remain out injured. Callum Wilson is pushing for a recall, possibly alongside Alexander Isak.

Newcastle Motivation

The Toon are terrible on their travels and confidence is low. Fatigue is hitting the squad very hard.

A draw at Anfield would feel like a win. Eddie Howe may need to be quite pragmatic and cede possession to try to nick a result on Merseyside.

Key Stats

Liverpool’s last 51 home league matches have seen just 1 loss (38 wins, 12 draws)

Liverpool have scored 22 goals in their last 9 league matches at home

Newcastle have won just 1 of their 9 away EPL matches this season (6 losses)

Newcastle have lost 5 of their last 7 away matches (all competitions)

Newcastle have lost their last 5 matches vs Liverpool

Verdict

There looks likely to be only one winner in this match. Liverpool are tipped to score three goals as a team and a win by two or more goals is quite possible considering Newcastle’s form.