After capping a momentous week with a 2-0 victory over Manchester City, Liverpool face Newcastle United away from home in the Premier League on Wednesday night.
The Arne Slot-led train continues to steam forward on Merseyside, with the Reds extending their lead at the division’s summit to nine points on Sunday after downing the slumping perennial champions at Anfield.
Slot’s chameleon Liverpool manifested various iterations of their brilliance in Sunday’s win just days after they comprehensively overcame Champions League holders Real Madrid by the same scoreline.
There was stunning drama the last time these two sides met at St James’ Park, with Darwin Nunez striking late to secure all three points for the ten-man Reds. Newcastle, as was the case last season, have struggled for consistency this term, but unlike 2023/24, they cannot blame a catastrophic injury crisis for their indifference this season.
Eddie Howe’s side have beaten Tottenham Hotspur, Arsenal and Chelsea on home soil this season, but they recorded just a point from their previous two outings against West Ham United and Crystal Palace.
Alexander Isak suffered another injury scare at the weekend as he was forced off at Selhurst Park. Howe confirmed the striker suffered a “contact injury” as opposed to a muscle pull which boosts the likelihood of him featuring on Wednesday, but Isak is nonetheless a doubt.
Joe Willock and Joelinton also picked up knocks on Saturday, but the latter completed the contest and should be fine to start against Liverpool.
The Magpies will certainly be without Emil Krafth due to a broken collarbone. Jamaal Lascelles and Sven Botman are long-term absentees.
Arne Slot confirmed on Sunday defensive duo Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate will miss the next few weeks after the pair picked up injuries during the Reds’ 2-0 victory over Real Madrid.
However, the Dutchman can now call upon Trent Alexander-Arnold at right-back, while Joe Gomez performed excellently against Man City.
Kostas Tsimikas remains sidelined for the visitors, although the Greece international isn’t expected to miss too much time with his current ankle injury. Alisson, Diogo Jota and Federico Chiesa are all absent.
Liverpool lineup vs Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Nunez.
