The Premier League decided to schedule a super clash between Liverpool and Newcastle United at Anfield to kick off 2024 and they couldn’t have picked a better team pairing as it’s the definition of a David vs. Goliath match.
Liverpool, in top form after beating Burnley 2-0 last time they played, will look to maintain their position at the top of the table, while Newcastle will continue to look to finish the season in the top half of the EPL after a rare home defeat. against Nott Forest, 3-1, last time they played at SJP in 2023.
Liverpool are coming off a win but recently drew against Mike Arteta’s Arsenal and could narrowly beat Burnley.
Eddie Howe needs to start getting some positive results if he is not to start looking for a new job and a new home away from Newcastle sooner rather than later. The PIF keep saying good things and showing confidence, but the situation is simply unsustainable and the results are worse than average – Chris Wood kicked three goals at SJP a few days ago, just saying.
Despite the victories over Manchester United and Fulham to end the year, December has been a difficult month for the Magpies and who knows it may be Howe’s last in charge… From a wider perspective, Newcastle are closer to the gap than the Premier’s top-four League. He is out of both the Carabao Cup and the Champions League. And worst of all, they can still be crushed by it FA Cup in his hands Sunderland of all the country’s teams until mid-January. Sheesh.
Liverpool will be without Kostas Tsimika and Andrew Robertson and have yet to decide on the availability of Alexis McAllister. Newcastle also have a long injury list that will begin to dwindle as 2024 wears on, but for now, Howe will have to carry on without the likes of Nick Pope, Sandro Tonali and many others.
Here are some of Howe’s nuggets of wisdom, courtesy of him NUFC.co.uk
In the news about his injury…
“(Joe) Willock and (Harvey) Barnes continue to work behind the scenes following their respective injuries, but there is no immediate update on them. Jamaal (Lascelles) we don’t think it’s serious and hopefully he’ll be back soon enough.”
On the need to put an end to Liverpool’s recent dominance of this game…
“There have been some painful games against Liverpool, for sure – the game last season at Anfield was particularly difficult for us. This season was no easier. I think the good thing about both of those games is that we played really well and we were competitive and we gave Liverpool a really good game.
“I think for us we have to be almost perfect in this game. I think this is a very difficult game for us. They have played very well at home especially, they are solid, a very good team. So for us, the challenge is that we have to find our best form again and we have to be mentally very strong.”
For the difference in the challenge posed by Klopp’s men…
“I think every game is different, every style is different. Liverpool have a way of playing which they have played very well for many years. They have changed slightly in terms of the system, but the style is very similar. It’s intense, it’s relentless and we have to be very, very good regularly, so preparation is important. Delivery is always the most important thing, so it’s up to all of us to get it right.”
On the return of Joelinton, who came off the bench against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day…
“I think any time you lose a player of Joe’s quality or someone like him, and you don’t have those qualities in your team, you realize how important they are – not that we ever needed confirmation of that, but sometimes it’s more difficult, especially with some from the other players we miss.
“Joe came in and did a little cameo for ten or 15 minutes and showed what he can bring – his ability in one-on-ones and bringing that fight into the middle of the pitch is something we’ve missed in the game so we can keep him in form.”
In his side’s schedule, which sees the Magpies face an FA Cup tie against Sunderland in between league games with Liverpool and City of Manchester…
“They’re tough games coming up, of course, but they’re the games you like. I think we’ve had a lot of those games this season against really good teams, so we’re not daunted – we’ll go at it and give it our best.
“Recent results have been a challenge for us – the last two performances have not been as good as they can be – so we are determined to come back and play our best football.”
Howay!
- Date: Sunday, January 1
- Opening match: 20:00 BST / 15:00 EST
- Location: Anfield, Liverpool (England)
read more