Premier League matchday No 3’s big fixture will take place on Sunday at St James’ Park, as Newcastle United host Liverpool.
Newcastle are fresh off a disappointing 1-0 loss to Manchester City at the Etihad.
Szobo/Mo 🆚 Cody/Virg…Match point 😅 pic.twitter.com/BpGw5Bs8vX— Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 22, 2023
Szobo/Mo 🆚 Cody/Virg…Match point 😅 pic.twitter.com/BpGw5Bs8vX
The Magpies never got going in the match and tallied just one shot on target from seven total shots.
The loss to Man City came on the heels of a 5-1 victory over Aston Villa on opening day.
The two results have left supporters wondering which Newcastle United team will show up on Sunday to face Liverpool.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds took four points from their opening six. A 1-1 draw away to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge was a solid start.
Liverpool then came from behind on matchday No 2 against Bournemouth to win 3-1.
Despite winning 3-1, the Reds were nervy for much of the match and played with 10 men for the remaining 32 minutes after Alexis Mac Allister was sent off with a straight red card.
That red card has since been reversed and Mac Allister will play on Sunday at St James’ Park.
Liverpool’s defence looked unconvincing in the opening stages of the match versus Bournemouth.
Newcastle may be able to pull the Reds’ defence apart. Klopp may hand new defensive midfielder Wataru Endo full debut after joining from Stuttgart last week.
Endo could slot into the base of the midfield three to provide a shield to the backline.
This would move Mac Allister into the No 10 role on the left side, with Dominik Szoboszlai filling the same position on the right side.
Newcastle’s Alexander Isak bagged two goals against Aston Villa on opening day.
He leads the team in scoring and will likely start as the team’s central striker on Sunday.
Like Liverpool, Eddie Howe will set out Newcastle in a 4-3-3 formation.
Isak should play as the No 9, while Miguel Almiron and Anthony Gordon are on the wings.
Joelinton may miss the match due to an injury. Sean Longstaff or Elliott Anderson may fill in for the Brazilian if he is unavailable to start.
Joe Willock, Emil Krafth, and Javi Manquillo are all three ruled out through injury.
Liverpool’s medical staff is still assessing right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold. He took a kick to the ankle against Bournemouth and was removed from the game.
He is likely to play, but Joe Gomez may get the start if Alexander-Arnold is unable to go.
Curtis Jones will again sit out following an ankle injury. He will join Thiago Alcantara on the sidelines. Thiago is still recovering from a groin injury from last season.
St James’ Park could see plenty of fireworks on Sunday. Liverpool went unbeaten in their last six games versus Newcastle.
The Reds should remain undefeated against the Magpies, with a 2-2 draw at full-time.