Liverpool v Newcastle predicted line-ups, how to watch, team news, referee and stats

Liverpool placed one hand on the Premier League trophy on Sunday when an efficient performance saw them beat reigning champions Manchester City 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.

Mo Salah’s brilliance on the ball, coupled with the Reds' stout defending off of it, demonstrated why Arne Slot’s flexible side is champions in waiting.

City were held to 0.67x on Sunday, which is their lowest total in a game so far this season. Liverpool held them to that frighteningly low number despite allowing 16 shots, making it the lowest xG a Pep Guardiola team has produced from 15+ shots.

On the other hand, Newcastle had no problem producing big scoring chances during a 4-3 win against Nottingham Forest a few hours prior, but their defensive inefficiencies were on display.

The game was seemingly wrapped up by half-time before a sluggish second-half performance saw them concede two goals to set up a nervy finish.

The final xG of Newcastle 2.91-1.80 Nottingham Forest was an extremely rare occasion where a Premier League game produced greater than 4xG with both sides contributing more than 1.50xG.

It stands to reason we may see some regression from these sides on Wednesday, although the previous meeting finished 3-3 at St James’ Park, and last season’s clash at Anfield resulted in a 4-2 home win.

 

Liverpool team news

Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton may be the only absentees for Liverpool on Wednesday, who welcomed back Cody Gakpo with a second-half cameo at the weekend.

Dominik Szoboszlai turned in an influential performance in an advanced role alongside Curtis Jones, scoring and laying on an assist for Salah.

It should be as you were at the back for Liverpool with Trent Alexander-Arnold and Virgil van Dijk featuring in defence.

 

Liverpool predicted line-up

Alisson - Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson - Gravenberch, Mac Allister - Salah, Jones, Diaz - Gakpo

 

Newcastle team news

Lewis Miley’s first Premier League start of the season produced a classy swivel and finish during the 4-3 win against Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Sandro Tonali is likely to replace him at Anfield, offering more experience and some running power against the Reds’ dynamic midfield.

Sven Botman is in with a chance of making the squad but a start is unlikely. He may still join Jamaal Lascelles and Joelinton on the sidelines.

 

Newcastle predicted line-up

Pope - Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall - Willock, Guimaraes, Tonali - Murphy, Isak, Gordon

 

Liverpool v Newcastle: How to watch and listen

Fans can watch Tuesday’s game live on TNT Sports 1 and Ultimate. There’s also live commentary on BBC Radio 5 Sports Extra, plus local BBC coverage in Liverpool and Newcastle.

 

Liverpool v Newcastle stats:

- This fixture has produced six goals in back-to-back fixtures for the first time since the 1950s, when Newcastle won 5-1 at home and 4-2 on the road.

- Before drawing 3-3 earlier this season, Liverpool produced their longest Premier League winning streak against Newcastle with six victories on the spin and matched their longest winning run across all competitions.

- Salah has provided 10 goals and seven assists in 16 games against Newcastle, while Alexander Isak scored in both of his previous trips to Anfield.

- Salah has scored in eight consecutive appearances for Liverpool and is closing in on matching the 10-match record he set in 2010.

- At least one team has scored three or more goals in 10 of Newcastle’s previous 13 Premier League matches.

 

Arne Slot (Liverpool) quotes:

Answering a question about Mo Salah being in the Ballon d’Or race:

“It's mostly about attackers but the last winner was a midfielder. It’s a good thing Mo is in discussion as that means he is doing well and that means we are doing well. In general, someone who wins the Ballon d'Or needs to win something as well.

What I liked a lot is that he took this challenge on with a big goal and assist against City but the defensive work rate in the second half particularly was outstanding. If we as a team win something he has a far better chance to win the Ballon d'Or.”

On the subject of not losing focus in the title race:

“I don't think I need to even enforce that message. These players played the Forest home game, Fulham home game, United at home and Newcastle away, which was a very difficult game for us. These players are so long in this competition, much longer than me, they know how tough the competition is.”

On Isak’s form and limiting his influence on the game:

“Understatement to say in fine form, he is in excellent form. The team's performance will help control him. The more ball possession we have the more we can control him although he is dangerous on counter-attacks.

We have two very good centre-backs, which is what you need when you face the quality of Isak. I like the style of play Eddie Howe has introduced, a team that has a very good game plan and is very intense with or without the ball. Not the only offensive threat they have, Gordon is a big threat.”

Eddie Howe (Newcastle) quotes:

On stopping Mo Salah from causing problems:

“Yeah, that's gonna be a challenge for us. I think it's not always down to any one individual within the team - it'll be about the team supporting that area of the pitch.

I think against Arsenal we were able to reflect on defending in 2, 3s, 4s. We had a mentality that we want to defend our goal to the highest level.

I don't think we've consistently had that in recent weeks but we're gonna need that in this game.”

On inconsistent performances:

It's been there all season to a degree. I think there have been games where we've been frustrated with ourselves - but then when you mention the statistic - 13 wins out of 16 - that's not an inconsistent team.

I'd certainly take that again in the next 16 games but I try to be very honest and acknowledge the fact that we have been inconsistent at times and Sunday certainly reflected that.

On Isak, who has reached 50 Premier League goals quicker than Harry Kane:

“I do think it highlights how well he's done it when you look at the names that you mentioned there. And also you put that together with when he first came to the club - my memory was like just a lot of relegation - so it wasn't as if he was joining a team that was right at the top of the league and free-scoring in that moment.

So we had to try and become that team. But I just think he's come in with a great attitude to the club, he's come in hungry to succeed, eager to help the team. He's not been selfish in that period, he's not thought of himself, he's always played for the team and I'm delighted for him.”

Who is the referee for Liverpool v Newcastle?

The man with the whistle on Wednesday is Chris Kavanagh, an experienced 39-year-old referee taking charge of his 157th Premier League fixture.

Since taking control of Southampton’s 1-0 win at West Brom in 2017, Kavanagh has brandished 559 yellow cards, seven second yellows and 11 straight reds.

As big a number as it sounds, that’s a relatively conservative 3.69 cards per game.

That number has sharply risen this season, with new directives leading to Kavanagh producing a card 5.41 times per contest and awarding three penalties.

He most recently took charge of Brighton’s 3-0 win against Chelsea, before which he produced eight yellow cards during Fulham’s 2-1 win against Newcastle.

Since the start of last season, Liverpool have recorded four wins, three draws and one loss with Kavanagh in the middle.

Goals don’t often flow when he referees Newcastle matches, with just 52 goals scored in 21 matches.

Another notable trend is the away side recorded 12 wins and four draws, losing just five times.

 

Liverpool v Newcastle match odds and betting tips:

Liverpool 1/2 - Draw 7/2 - Newcastle 19/4

Best bet: Over 2.5 goals & both teams to score

 

Liverpool v Newcastle betting preview

A thrilling 3-3 draw at St James’ Park earlier in the season saw this fixture produced six goals for the second consecutive meeting.

Newcastle’s 4-3 victory of two halves over Nottingham Forest may be the perfect warm-up for a fixture that has been packed full of drama and late goals in recent meetings at Anfield.

Liverpool were in full control as they beat Man City 2-0 at the Etihad, announcing their intention to steal their title like the big bully on the playground stealing the first-year student’s lunch money.

It makes sense to expect fewer fireworks than in recent meetings, but that wouldn’t be at all in keeping with Newcastle’s run of form.

Click to read the remainder of our Liverpool v Newcastle betting preview.

 

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(All odds are correct at the time of article publication)

 

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