Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Preview, Team News, Probable Lineups and Prediction
Newcastle welcome Liverpool to St James' Park with the real chance of finishing the day above the Reds in the table. The fixture will naturally bring back fond memories for Rafa Benitez, who still harbours hopes of managing Liverpool in the future.
Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Manager Talk
Rafa Benitez: "It's a special game for me. It will be emotional, because I spent so many years there, and have so many good memories. My family still live in Liverpool, so it is my home. I have a lot of positive, very good relationships with Liverpool fans, (including) the families connected to Hillsborough. There are a lot of connections, and it will be very emotional. I have to concentrate on Newcastle United, trying to win."
"I don’t want to say (I will go back). I am really pleased here. I am happy here. And I wish Jurgen Klopp a lot of success."
Jurgen Klopp: "There are a few teams who are obviously flying. It does not mean the other teams should not try to fly also. Do we all have to give up and say ‘they are so good this year, oh my God, I really want to have a season ticket for Manchester at whichever stadium’? Or is it allowed that we try to sort our things and improve?"
"We all know these boys will score. The difficult thing in a situation like this is to stay confident, to do it again and again and again. My work is to help the boys do it better and it makes no sense to criticise finishing."
Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Kickoff Information
Date: 01 October 2017
Kickoff: 9:00 PM IST / 4:30 PM BST
Venue: St. James' Park, Newcastle, England
Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Team News
Newcastle United: Rafa Benitez has welcome news in the form of the return of striker Alexander Mitrovic, who has served his three-match suspension, but may have to make with a place on the bench as Joselu has performed well in his absence. Paul Dummett and Massadio Haidara remain out injured, while Florian Lejeune also is doubtful and might not be risked.
Liverpool: Jurgen Klopp will be glad to welcome back Sadio Mane, as the Senegalese attacker has served his three-match ban. Adam Lallana, Adam Bogdan and Nathaniel Clyne occupy the injury table, with Klopp likely to rotate his squad after midweek action in the UEFA Champions League.
Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Probable Lineups
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Robert Elliot (GK); DeAndre Yedlin, Jamaal Lascelles, Ciaran Clark, Chancel Mbemba; Mikel Merino, Isaac Hayden; Matt Ritchie, Ayoze Perez, Christian Atsu; Joselu.
Liverpool (4-3-3): Simon Mignolet (GK); Joe Gomez, Joel Matip, Ragnar Klavan, Andrew Robertson; Emre Can, Jordan Henderson, Philippe Coutinho; Mo Salah, Daniel Sturridge, Sadio Mane.
Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Form Guide
Last 6 games (all competitions. most recent first)
Newcastle United: L-W-W-W-L-L
Liverpool: D-W-L-D-D-L
Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Head to Head (H2H) (Last 6 games)
Newcastle United wins: 2
Liverpool wins: 2
Draws: 2
Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Key Players
Newcastle: Mikel Merino has been the midfield conductor at the heart of Newcastle's midfield, with the Spanish youngster looking hugely impressive with his performances. If Newcastle are to manage anything from this game, Rafa Benitez requires his midfield maestro to be at his best to control the flow of the game and prevent Liverpool from overwhelming them.
Liverpool: While all the attention will naturally be on the returning Sadio Mane, Mo Salah will be licking his lips at the chance of facing Chancel Mbemba. Coupled with Newcastle not sitting deep, Salah could thrive in the space offered and win the game for Liverpool.
Newcastle United vs Liverpool: Prediction
Rafa Benitez welcomes his former side to St.James Park, with his side able to go above Liverpool in the table with a win. Liverpool's finishing woes continued in midweek against Spartak Moscow, with Jurgen Klopp noting his inability to improve the finishing of his forwards. Newcastle do pose a threat with the weight of the massive crowd behind them, and with Benitez' sides unlikely to afford the space for Salah and Firmino to wreak their havoc, Liverpool could be blunted. However, the Reds could scrape a wn here, thanks to their superior quality.
Prediction: Newcastle United 1-2 Liverpool