Liverpool vs Newcastle: Match preview, predicted line-ups, team news and prediction | OneFootball

Liverpool take on Newcastle United at Anfield on Saturday evening, aiming to end their five-game winless run in the Premier League.

The defending champions suffered a last-gasp 3-2 loss at Bournemouth last weekend, dropping outside the top four.

Likewise, Newcastle tasted a 2-0 defeat at home to Aston Villa, ending a four-game unbeaten run in the competition.

Match preview

Liverpool put aside their domestic struggles and thrashed Qarabag 6-0 in the Champions League, sealing automatic qualification to the round of 16.

The Reds must now build on that momentum to arrest their poor league form and prevent missing out on Champions League qualification.

Liverpool have lost twice at home in the league this season, but have picked up just 21 points from 11 games played on their patch.

Manager Arne Slot needs to strike a balance between defensive solidity and attacking rhythm for Liverpool to string results together.

Newcastle arrive for this clash off the back of a 1-1 draw with holders Paris Saint-Germain in the UCL, booking their place in the play-offs.

The Magpies also risk missing out on UCL qualification, sitting four points behind fifth-placed Chelsea.

Newcastle have won just twice on the road in the Premier League this season and have a poor record at Anfield, with only one victory in their last 30 visits.

However, the hosts have struggled against teams that deploy a low-block — an approach Newcastle are likely to use here — potentially giving them a chance to secure a positive result.

Team news

Liverpool’s injury list became lengthier after Jeremie Frimpong came off injured against Qarabag. He joins Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Alexander Isak in the treatment room.

Curtis Jones’ availability is unsure, having missed Wednesday’s game due to injury, as is Ibrahima Konate, who is still on leave following his father’s death.

Fabian Schar, Joelinton, Emil Krafth, and Tino Livramento are all sidelined through injury for the Magpies.

Predicted starting line-up

Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson Becker, Wataru Endo, Ryan Gravenberch, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez, Alexis McAllister, Dominic Szoboszlai, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo Mohamed Salah, Hugo Ekitike.

Newcastle (4-3-3): Nick Pope, Lewis Miley, Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman, Lewis Hall, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Jacob Ramsey, Antony Gordon, Nick Woltemade, Harvey Barnes.

Prediction

We predict a 2-2 draw.

Stats from whoscored.com & transfermarkt.com