By Sam McGuire
They’re in ominous type. However the Magpies have stepped up within the huge video games this season. Can they do the identical once more this week?
The season up to now
To say Newcastle have been inconsistent this season could be an understatement.
Eddie Howe’s facet discover themselves in eleventh place having received simply 5 of their 13 encounters within the English top-flight. The Magpies have crushed Spurs and Arsenal whereas additionally claiming a degree towards Manchester Metropolis at St James’ Park. Towards the massive(ger) groups they appear to scale their performances. Towards the inferior opposition, a minimum of on paper anyway, they wrestle. They’ve drawn with relegation candidates Everton and Crystal Palace this time period whereas additionally dropping to an out-of-sorts West Ham United.
They conceded a 94th-minute equaliser to the Eagles over the weekend too.
An enormous subject for Eddie Howe and his crew this season is their lack of ability to attain targets. They’ve discovered the again of the online simply 14 occasions throughout their 13 matches and their purpose distinction presently stands at zero.
Liverpool, in the meantime, have been relentless. The Reds are high of the Premier League, 9 factors away from Arsenal following the 2-0 win over Manchester Metropolis at Anfield on Sunday.
They’re presently on a seven-match profitable streak throughout all competitions and have misplaced only one recreation all season. This was at house to Nottingham Forest in September. Since that shock defeat, Arne Slot has guided his facet to fifteen wins in 16 matches.
The Reds are scoring targets (26) and conserving clear sheets (seven). They’re the one crew within the Premier League to nonetheless be in single digits for targets conceded.
Earlier encounters
This has been a one-sided fixture for the very best a part of a decade. Newcastle final picked up a win over Liverpool in 2015. Since then, the Reds are unbeaten in 15 towards the Magpies and have received six on the spin with an combination scoreline of 14-5.
Howe doesn’t have the very best report towards Wednesday’s opponents. The Newcastle boss has confronted off towards Liverpool on 19 events and has only one win and one draw to his title. He’s suffered 17 losses and his groups have conceded 47 targets within the course of.
Present type
Proper now, Liverpool are the very best crew in Europe, statistically talking. The Reds lead the shape desk within the Premier League with 13 factors from 15. Throughout this time, they’ve scored 11 and conceded on simply 5 events.
Newcastle’s inconsistent type may be seen within the mini-form desk. The Magpies are twelfth with seven factors and a purpose distinction of zero.
The damage scenario
Alexander Isak is lacking for the Magpies, as is long-term absentee Sven Botman. Isak picked up a knock within the latest draw with Crystal Palace and he’ll be an enormous loss to the Magpies. He all the time has a good recreation towards the Reds.
Liverpool are with out Ibrahima Konaté, Conor Bradley, Kostas Tsimikas and Diogo Jota. Alisson Becker is coaching once more and Federico Chiesa is predicted to be match following a stint on the sidelines. However Slot goes to must rotate to maintain gamers recent throughout this damage disaster.
Prediction
It’ll be a slog however you’ll be able to’t look previous Liverpool proper now, are you able to? Mohamed Salah is the very best participant within the league and has the flexibility to single-handedly win video games. He’s been doing simply that over latest weeks.
(Cowl picture from IMAGO)
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