In addition, the Reds have to do without several supports, Thiago Alcantara, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Diogo Jota are suffering from muscle problems, Liverpool’s newest signing Darwin Núñez cannot play due to suspension. Apparently, after a sleepy start to the year, when they got only two points in three rounds, coach Klopp’s men finally started to get in shape, which was taken away by the newcomer from Bournemouth. The latter caught a 0:9 debacle at Anfield Road, in which Luis Díaz and Roberto Firmino contributed two goals, Virgil van Dijk, Harvey Elliott, Trent Alexander-Arnold and Fabio Carvalho contributed one each. Chris Mepham provided the last missing entry with an own goal. The Reds are thus starting to get in shape at the last minute, because next week they already have the opening duel of the Champions League group in Naples.
“The clean sheet against Bournemouth meant a lot to us and especially to the goalkeeper Alisson. I hope we started the series of duels without conceding goals. As for strengthening the squad in the last days of the transfer window, we will try to be active.” said Liverpool coach Jürgen Klopp at the pre-match press conference. “I could name you names that are of interest to us, but I don’t want to. If we bring someone in, everyone will know in time.”
Although Newcastle does not suffer from as big a problem as its next opponent, it will have to do without gunner Allan Saint-Maximin, who is suffering from a thigh injury. With a similar problem, another striker “magpie” Callum Wilson is out of the game, the injury probably won’t let the Brazilian midfielder Bruno Guimarães on the field either. Cup-aspiring Newcastle, however, are leaving very mixed impressions so far. The 3:3 draw with the strong Manchester City, the goalless duel with Brighton or the division of points in Wolverhampton after the 1:1 result certainly did not excite the rich owners too much. The positive remains that Eddie Howe’s men have not lost yet this year, and they have now been strengthened by the Swedish striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad, who became the most expensive signing in the club’s history.
“We are in a better position than when we went to Liverpool last time, when we were in a difficult situation. Now we are playing the kind of football that I want from the players and I believe we have a future with it. This game will really test us very much, but I see no reason why we should fear. We can easily win,” Newcastle manager Eddie Howe told the club’s website.
The last match between Liverpool and Newcastle took place in April in St. James Park, the Reds won 1-0 here thanks to a goal from Naby Keita.
Allison – Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, van Dijk, Robertson – Elliott, Fabinho, Henderson – Salah, Firmino, Diaz.
Pope – Schär, Botman, Burn – Murphy, Longstaff, Joelinton, Targett – Almiron, Wood, Fraser.
