Liverpool v Newcastle: Back Wirtz to sparkle in battle of Champions League chasers | OneFootball

English Premier League Tips

Liverpool and Newcastle are both chasing Champions League qualification

Liverpool and Newcastle are in the battle for Champions League qualification, and Kevin Hatchard believes a summer signing can catch the eye for the hosts at Anfield.

Liverpool v NewcastleSaturday 31 March, 20:00

Liverpool thriving in Europe, but domestic doubts remain

Wednesday night an Anfield was a rare example of Liverpool winning a game with room to spare this season, as they swept aside a hitherto impressive Qarabag side 6-0 in the Champions League. The burgeoning partnership between Hugo Ekitike and Florian Wirtz showed further signs of improvement, the under-fire Alexis Mac Allister scored twice, and the Reds kept a rare clean sheet.

However, Liverpool fans are used to the fact that no evening can go entirely smoothly these days, and the night was marred by another muscle injury for speedy right-back Jeremie Frimpong. It means that Reds boss Arne Slot can't call upon either of his two main right-backs, and the centre-back options are thin on the ground too. At the other end of the pitch, record signing Alexander Isak is still on the sidelines with a serious leg injury.

Although Liverpool have earned passage straight to the last 16 of the Champions League, making next season's tournament is by no means certain, even though England is likely to be awarded five spots through Premier League placing. The Merseyside giants are currently sixth with 15 games of the season left, and realistically they'll have to pick off one of Aston Villa, Chelsea or Manchester United.

Although Liverpool are privately making positive noises about the future of manager Arne Slot, it's hard to see him surviving in the post if the title defence ends in failure to even make the top five, not least because the club spent big in the summer, and intends to do so again next summer.

Newcastle can take heart from Paris display

Eddie Howe's Newcastle have struggled on the road all season, but their 1-1 draw at European champions PSG on Wednesday was worthy of praise. A patched-up Magpies side struggled in the first half-hour, but once they started to believe they could be a bit braver in possession and get up the pitch, they settled into the game. Had substitute Harvey Barnes taken a glorious second-half opportunity, Newcastle could have walked away with a famous win that would have put them into the Champions League's top eight.

Newcastle are still in four different competitions, and there's no doubt that the volume of games has taken its toll. First-team regulars Tino Livramento, Fabian Schär and Joelinton are all sidelined, and skipper Bruno Guimaraes has only just returned from an ankle injury. Summer signing Yoane Wissa missed the start of the campaign with injury, and has had to be carefully managed.

As our friends at Opta remind us, Newcastle's recent Premier League record against Liverpool is atrocious, although they did famously beat the Reds in last season's League Cup final. Newcastle haven't won any of their last 18 Premier League meetings with Liverpool, and they have lost 13 of those games.

Reds too short to back, Newcastle don't inspire confidence

The Match Odds market on the Betfair Exchange feels like one to swerve here. Liverpool are way too short at 1.85 - they have won just four of their last 13 top-flight matches, and they might fail to win any of their first six league games of a calendar year for the first time since 1954. The last time that happened, Liverpool went on to be relegated.

That said, Newcastle's away record is very poor, with only three away victories all season.

Go with the Flo and back Reds star

Florian Wirtz came to Anfield from Bayer Leverkusen with a hefty price tag, but those who have watched him develop in Germany knew he would deliver for Liverpool. While the goals and assists took a while to arrive, they are now coming with regularity. Wirtz has been involved in a goal in six of his last ten competitive appearances, including in four of the last five games at Anfield.

I'll happily back Wirtz to score or assist at 11/10.

Back Barnes to take some punishment

Liverpool's right-back woes mean they'll have someone out of position on the right of their defence on Saturday night. That could be Dominik Szoboszlai, Wataru Endo or maybe Curtis Jones. Whoever is in that position will probably be up against Harvey Barnes, and I think the price of 10/3 for the left-winger to be fouled twice stands out here.

Barnes has been fouled twice or more in six of his last 11 starts in all competitions, and he's been fouled at least twice nine times this season.

Now read Mark Stinchcombe's Premier League tipsheet for Saturday

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