The dreaded international break is finally over, but it doesn’t look likely to get much easier for us Newcastle fans, with our weekend starting with a daunting trip to Anfield!
Realistically, games like this are often approached with a ‘damage limitation’ mentality, however our superb display in that 0-1 win at Spurs will give the players newfound belief that we *might* just surprise a few here.
That being said, there is now a clear gulf between the likes of Tottenham and Liverpool, with the latter being Champions League winners, title contenders, unstoppable at home, brilliant at the back and boasting one of the most formidable attacking trios in world football.
It’ll take another mammoth display from all involved if we’re to come away from this with something, so let’s hope our lads can dig in and stay disciplined throughout.
Predicted XI
Starting at the back, the defence almost picks itself right now. Yedlin, Ritchie and Lejeune are still missing and Krafth seems to be Bruce’s first choice at right-back and ahead of Javier Manquillo in the pecking order. Willems has looked good going forward in his last two appearances, but his ability to defend will be well and truly tested against Mo Salah and Trent Alexander-Arnold here!
With Sean Longstaff ruled out, Shelvey seems nailed on to get another chance in midfield. Bruce may be tempted to pack the midfield, but this is doesn’t feel like a game that suis Ki Sung-yeung – who was woeful defensively in that defeat at Norwich – and I don’t see Matty Longstaff being thrown in at the deep end just yet.
In attack, it sounds like Almiron will be OK to play despite only returning from international duty with Paraguay on Thursday. He and Atsu will need to protect Krafth and Willems out wide, but will also be tasked to use their pace at the other end hit Liverpool on the counter whenever possible. As for Joelinton, he could have a huge role to play as our lone striker. A Spurs-esque display will be needed from him if we’re to have any joy in attack, but that will be easier said than done against Virgil Van Dijk!
Preferred NUFC XI – (5-4-1) – Dubravka – Krafth, Schar, Lascelles, Dummett, Willems – Almiron, Hayden, Shelvey, Atsu – Joelinton.
The Opposition
Stopping Salah and Mane, containing their marauding full-backs and getting past Van Dijk will be the biggest obstacles facing NUFC, but here’s a few other ‘ones to watch’ in Jurgen Klopp’s side:
Adrian – There’s not many weaknesses in this Liverpool side, but they’ve been left with a pretty ordinary goalkeeper in Adrian following a long-term injury to Alisson. He’s made the odd big mistake already, so shooting on sight and putting pressure on him from corners could pay off.
Roberto Firmino – A class act, but a player who’s often forgotten about, with Mane and Salah tending to be the two goal machines in this Liverpool side. That said, Firmino’s movement and link up play is second to none, meaning he could easily have a field day if we put too much focus on stopping Salah / Arnold and Mane / Robertson in wide areas.
Geogrinio Wijnaldum – Like it or not, the Dutchman has come on leaps and bounds since swapping Tyneside for Merseyside a few years ago. He’s no longer that player who goes missing in games and is the sort of later arriver into the box that Jonjo Shelvey mustn’t forget to track.
Predicted Liverpool XI – (4-3-3): Adrian – Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson – Fabinho, Wijnaldum, Henderson – Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Team news
Sean Longstaff will miss out after suffering a ‘freak’ ankle injury in training, while Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring), Matt Ritchie (ankle), Andy Carroll (ankle), Dwight Gayle (calf), DeAndre Yedlin (groin) and Florian Lejeune (ACL) have also been ruled out.
Miguel Almiron returned late from international duty, but Steve Bruce’s pre-match comments suggest he’ll be fit enough to play.
Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson has been ruled out once again, but Naby Keita is back in training and in contention to play for the first time this season.
Klopp will also have to decide whether Joe Gomez or Joel Matip partners Virgil Van Dijk at centre-back.
Prediction
Our 1-0 win at Spurs was outstanding, but we’ll have to be even better against Liverpool if we’re to avoid defeat here. They’re just that good.
The fact Longstaff is missing is also a blow, with his work rate and discipline off the ball superior to his likely replacement, Jonjo Shelvey.
Not only that, I struggle to see an attack minded full-back in Jetro Willems coping well with both Mo Salah and Trent Alexandr-Arnold down their right-hand side, with Sadio Mane also likely to have too much pace for Emil Krafth.
We’ve only conceded 2 goals in our last 3 games following that miserable day at Norwich, however I can’t help but fear this will be a long old afternoon at Anfield.
Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle
Howay the lads!
It takes a brave man or an idiot to predict anything other than a loss tomorrow.
Lee Ryder has us down for a 1-1 draw.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Liverpool haven’t started as defensively sound as they were last season – but as Stu would rightly point out – our front line aren’t likely to punish them & I think Virgil can handle Joe unfortunately.
We saw signs of fraction between Mane and Salah before the break too – hopefully that has continued.
I think it’s going to take something like that, or a real off day for Liverpool for us to stand a chance I think.
At 20/1 I couldn’t help but hoy a tenner on – bravely I think, but the wife went with Eric’s second option ?.
Do I go with Almiron to score though?! ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
I predict A WIN
PremAndUp(Quote)
Unfortunately, not for us
PremAndUp(Quote)
England ahead in the cricket so hopefully my powers of prediction are waning since I went for the Aussies.
I haven’t looked up many previews but I think Liverpool haven’t lost at home for something like 2 years.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Looked it up. Liverpool have won 9 in a row at home and last lost at home in the PL in April 2017.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I read Olly’s interview with the Scouse fan and I have to say I agree with just about everything he said. This might be clutching at a whole bale of straws, but maybe he is getting overconfident. Nah, I really can’t see us getting anything out of this but there is not much worse than a smug scouser – I refer you again to Stan Boardman.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And in news for Sharpy to try to get his tenner that he bet on us back. Pogba, Shaw and Martial are all out. Normally that wouldn’t be that much of a problem for Man U as they haven’t really played well. But their backups are worse.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And, isn’t Owen a pundit for BT? That should be interesting – unlike Monotone Mike himself unless he is writing about stuff that happened 15 years ago 🙂 As if the mandatory Scouser pundit quota was not filled with Mikey I think you have McManamanamanaman as well. He commentated over here in the US for couple of years and I had to turn the sound down to protect my telly from having a shoe thrown at it. Another high pitched scouse whine.
I suppose since nobody has BT you wont have to hear those 2.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I hadn’t really thought about it before but against any other team this game at The Oval would be given a lot of importance. A chance to level a series where we have been outbowled for the most part. I sort of blame the pundits because they are placing so much emphasis on The Ashes that they are missing the fact that there is still a series to be decided.
Is Smith on for the highest average ever in a 5 match series? As of now it is 125. Yes, I know he has only played 4 of them, but still.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Think Salah and mane would have to have a punch up and both get sent off early for us to get anything.
Mick rees(Quote)
I will be watching it on BT, I have it Eric 😉
Not a hope in hell will we beat them at their place sadly.
Gutted Sean is out, i like him and Hayden together .
Ah well, HWTL .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Kimtoon: can you give me a summary of what Owen has to say, if you can bear to listen to that drone of his.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
We obvioulsy have less chanc e with Shelvey in midfield as he doesn’t work as hard as Longstaff and is often out of position. It’s going to be a hard, long day!
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric, not sure i can stomach his voice, probs skip the build up tbh, just watch the game .
KIMTOON(Quote)
Pity about Sean. Shelvey’s too slow and the other option is the ineffective Ki. I’d throw young Matty in. It’s not like we’ll get anything anyway.
georgio(Quote)
Kimtoon: I might watch the build up and skip the game 🙂 I am awake to watch the cricket, then NUFC. Both have the potential to go sideways. I will start watching NUFC but if we are 2 or 3 down at half time I might avert my eyes, read the reviews and see if I want to watch some more after I have recorded it.
Based on our record at Anfield and Liverpool’s start this looks like a slaughter and I have to admit to being very apprehensive. The one saving grace is how we played them at SJP. Hopefully, Brucie has been showing videos of that all week.
Hope Bruce has the balls to give Shelvey the quick hook if we are suffering. Although we don’t have many alternatives. I like Jonjo but the pace in this Liverpool team may be his worst nightmare.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
And this fixture computer has fcked us again. You spend 2 weeks of the bloody international break wishing there was real football and then end up going to the hardest place to play in the PL. Welcome back. Then I think we have Man U away on Boxing Day. Thanks again PL.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Owen is NOT a pundit today. I think BT missed a trick there.
Pundits are Jermaine “talks a better game than he played” Jenas and Joe Cole. Why Joe Cole?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
I look at our bench and it’s just so woefully short in attacking options. It certainly won’t be an attacking change from the bench that wins it for us…
Stuart79(Quote)
Nice to see young Matty on the bench. I hope he gets a chance today. Nothing to lose really. 8 can only see a win for the scousers today unfortunately, 2-0 to the Pool. .. but hope I’m wrong. ??
Dubai Toon(Quote)
looks hot out on that pitch mind, as if it needs to be any harder a job 🙄
KIMTOON(Quote)
Oh my God!
Almiron looked offside mind
Stuart79(Quote)
Willemsssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss
get in omfg
what a shot
KIMTOON(Quote)
What a goooooaaaaaalllllllllllll
Dubai Toon(Quote)
But was well on
Stuart79(Quote)
Dutch master right there lads
oh my
KIMTOON(Quote)
That wasn’t in the script was it
KIMTOON(Quote)
it may still go very wrong mind
KIMTOON(Quote)
The good thing about an early goal is that it basically gives us something to hold on to but also it means Liverpool have to score two to win. It’s still likely but gives us a chance.
Stuart79(Quote)
Eric are u able to see the game ? if not here is the goal
https://twitter.com/F00tba11News/status/1172837373341773824
KIMTOON(Quote)
What a bullet with his right foot ??????.
We’ve started quite well here, and Almiron and Atsu seem to be playing more narrowly than wingers which is working well – they are hunting the ball down together – but playing narrow is giving Jetro that space out wide.
Only 15mins but I’ve been impressed so far – they haven’t parked the bus at all.
Sharpy17(Quote)
That was his weak foot too 😮
KIMTOON(Quote)
Sharpy i’m fully expecting Klopp to address the space Jetro is getting.
Jonjo thinks he’s Becks 😆
KIMTOON(Quote)
What I don’t understand about VAR is that it seems only to be used to disallow goals. The linesman gave Joelington off side and it was very close. It’s just odd. The lino just flagged and that was that.
Stuart79(Quote)
go on Dummy, great defending, hurt himself too.
KIMTOON(Quote)
KIMTOON(Quote)
It’s starting to get a bit busy in our half now. Pressure building. Let’s hope we get to half time 1 up. I reckon if they score they’ll score another quickly after.
Was that a pen? Where’s VAR?
Stuart79(Quote)
And there we go. It was coming.
Stuart79(Quote)
Mane copies Jetro
1.1
KIMTOON(Quote)
Good finish but Shelvey stood watching there ?
Sharpy17(Quote)
No pen for me Stu
KIMTOON(Quote)
KIMTOON(Quote)
We need to get a bit higher.
Stuart79(Quote)
I’ve not been impressed with Kraft. He should stick to making chocolate
Stuart79(Quote)
Absolutely ridiculous! Dubravka bang average
Stuart79(Quote)
Mane tap in
2.1
Ah well, no surprise
KIMTOON(Quote)
Bit of a Dubs clanger actually, went in off his knee 😳
KIMTOON(Quote)
Stupid play by Atsu in the midfield but Dubravka – pathetic!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Almiron and his bloody offsides man
KIMTOON(Quote)
Well it was good up to a point… stupid 2 goals to give away, especially the second one. ??. Still only 1 goal in it though.
Let’s see how the second half goes.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Well dare I say it, but that was an enjoyable watch. A good mix of defending and pressing. I think Shelvey could have done more in the 1st – but it was a good finish.
The 2nd – was the first thing Dubravka had to do in the 1st half and c0cked it right up.
I think considering we are at Anfield where Lpool are a real force. The lads are doing well.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree. I’ve said previously that Manquillo is the better RB and that is saying something.
Groucho(Quote)
That’s the second outrageous chance Kraft has had in two games and he’s not just missed them he’s absolutely missed them by a million miles. Owen Farrell would be happy with the efforts.
Stuart79(Quote)
That Kraft miss is as bad as Dubravka mistake imo. We won’t get many chances like that today!!
Good save from Dub from TAA
Sharpy17(Quote)
Is Bruce sticking with Krafth because he signed him?
Groucho(Quote)
Who scouted Kraft, Charnley himself ffs?!
Stuart79(Quote)
Get fucking Kraft off that pitch!!. He’s putting us in all kinds of danger down that flank – he’s sh!te!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
Dub making up for his 1st half mistake here like – he’s been excellent this 2nd half so far
Sharpy17(Quote)
Dubs has his bloopers but is mostly class for us.
Agree re Krafth, much prefer Manquillo
KIMTOON(Quote)
I suppose while it’s only 2-1 were still in it.
Stuart79(Quote)
Hahaha. Spoke to soon
Stuart79(Quote)
And there’s Mo’s goal
3.1
over and out
KIMTOON(Quote)
Good team Pool, think they will win the league this year.
KIMTOON(Quote)
Sometimes all you can do is ??????????
Outrageous skill from Firmino. Schar slip didn’t help and he may have stopped the goal – but brilliant from Firmino
Sharpy17(Quote)
Really don’t think we’ve done too badly today. We made a couple of mistakes that gifted them goals, but think we played ok.
The obvious big difference between the 2 teams is in the final 3rd.
It would have been interesting to see how the game would have gone if Origi stayed on – Firmino defo made them so much better.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Well I suppose it was too good to last… good match though, as they usually share between us. Krafth is poor so far. If he’d been able to score that chance it could’ve made quite a difference. Oh well.
Dubai Toon(Quote)
Not a bad result at Anfield against a very good team. I just wish we could move forward in numbers and at speed as we do going back to defend. We really need to give Joelinton more support.
Groucho(Quote)
3-1 was probably the most backed correct result today in this game.
Stuart79(Quote)
Dubai – Kraft should have at least hit the target with that chance. I got told off by the boy for my bad language after that miss ??.
Typically BT Sports going with Lpool started slow and were off the boil a bit after the break. They struggled to break us down coz we sat in – I’ve turned off to watch the cricket.
It really annoys me that they can’t give the other team credit – it has to be that Pool or City struggled, and not the other team played well.
Well I thought we did pretty well considering the opposition. A couple of silly mistakes, but we give it a good go.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Agree Sharpy
KIMTOON(Quote)
NEW THREAD
https://www.nufcblog.co.uk/2019/09/14/liverpool-3-1-newcastle-early-stunner-cancelled-out-by-errors-but-we-didnt-disgrace-ourselves/
Post-match thoughts on Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle.
Olly Hawkins(Quote)