Liverpool vs Newcastle: Preview and Lineups
Liverpool have an outside chance of winning the Premier League on Sunday. Should they beat Newcastle United at Anfield and West Ham beat Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, the Reds will lift their first title in 24 years.
It is a long shot but just having the chance to win the title on the final day of the Premier League season is a significant improvement on last season when the Reds finished in 7th and had pretty much nothing to play for in the remaining weeks.
Sunday could become one of the greatest days in the club’s history, but either way, it will be a day to enjoy the success of the past season.
Newcastle, on the other hand, have petered out in 2014. Loss after loss has been too much to deal with for the supporters who have led protests against the regime and are now fed up with the management. It is a sad state of affairs but another defeat on Sunday could spell the end of Alan Pardew’s time at Newcastle.
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Team News
Liverpool
Brendan Rodgers has no new injury concerns in his squad. He has the added numbers in the squad this weekend as players sent out on loan to lower league clubs have returned. Jose Enrique is still the only absentee as Rodgers claims he should be ready for pre-season. Jordan Henderson is back from his three-match suspension.
Newcastle United
Alan Pardew is still without Davide Santon, Ryan Taylor and Sammy Ameobi. The latter returned to training this week but will not be fit to play at Anfield. He was dealt another sore blow today by the news that Papiss Cisse will be out for an extended period of time after having undertaken knee surgery this week.
Predicted Line-Ups
Rodgers may well go with his strongest team possible in an attempt to end the season on the highest way possible and push City all the way. However, after his admission on Monday night that the title race was over, he could play a couple of younger, fringe players.
Liverpool (4-1-2-1-2): Mignolet; Johnson, Skrtel, Sakho, Flanagan; Gerrard, Henderson, Coutinho, Sterling; Suarez, Sturridge
via Sharemytactics.com
Alan Pardew is likely to go with his strongest side possible as there’s nothing left to play for but pride – and potentially his job.
Newcastle (4-3-3): Krul; Debuchy, Coloccini, Williamson, Dummett; Anita, Tiote, Gosling; Gouffran, Ameobi, Remy
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Liverpool’s previous two results are what will ultimately cost them the league title. If this match was two weeks ago, we would be talking about Liverpool’s 11-match winning run and how they look unstoppable. Two games later and they’ve dropped five points, allowing City to take the initiative. On Monday night, they led Crystal Palace 3-0 but threw it away to draw 3-3. It was a killer final 10 minutes and has cost them dearly. They must now pick themselves up and get back on track on the final day.
Newcastle, on the other hand, are coming into this one on the back of a victory after beating Cardiff City 3-0. However, prior to that they had lost four straight games without scoring a goal. Pardew is in trouble and needs a result.
Players to Watch
Liverpool – Luis Suarez
Suarez will be the man to watch for Liverpool on Sunday. He is one goal shy of the Premier League’s 38-game goal-scoring record. He has snapped up all awards possible this season, recently having been crowned PFA and FWA Player of the Year. He also won the club’s Player of the Year awards voted for by fans and the players, respectively.
Additionally, the club’s Goal of the Season award went to his 40-yard volley against Norwich City and was even responsible for the Premier League’s Save of the Year.
He’s been an all-round package this season and will be on the hunt for that goal record on Sunday.
Newcastle United – Loic Remy
It goes without saying that without Remy, Newcastle are rubbish. They have scored just one goal this season when he’s not played which tells the whole story.
He has scored 14 goals which is more than double the next player who is still at the club (Yohan Cabaye got seven). He is lethal and if given a clear opportunity, will punish Liverpool. They must keep a close eye on him and prevent him from scoring, as if Remy doesn’t score, Newcastle, as a team, are unlikely to.
Prediction
Liverpool have been fantastic at Anfield this season while Newcastle are on an awful run and have been throughout the entirety of 2014. They start games quickly and shoot into a lead within the first 15 to 20 minutes and if they do again on Sunday, Newcastle could be in trouble.
Liverpool 4-0 Newcastle