Liverpool (A) Pre-match thoughts, team news, possible line-ups & score prediction

If we thought last weekend was hard, against a Leicester side out of form, hit by Covid and coming into the game just a few days on from a tough Europa League tie in Italy, then our trip to Anfield promises to be another huge test.

In truth, Leicester didn't even get out of second gear for most of Sunday's 4-0 win, yet they cut through our defence like a knife through butter that'd been left out of the fridge for hours.

That game felt like our chance to pick up a result and keep some momentum going ahead of incredibly tough clashes with Liverpool and Man City this week.

Moving forward, we'll have to hope we show so much more in this one. More fight, more leadership, more quality on the ball and more organisation at the back.

After all, if an out of sorts Leicester can put four past us without playing all that well, I dread to think what damage Liverpool could do if the likes of Salah, Mane, Jota and Alexander-Arnold are firing!

You can never rule out a surprise result - stranger things have happened and Howe has a few shock wins on his CV against the 'big six' - but I think most Mags are going into this game hoping to see glimmers of hope, unity and some sort of platform to build on ahead of upcoming games against Man City, Man Utd and Everton.

Team news

Federico Fernandez looks set to miss most of our festive fixtures with a thigh injury, while Paul Dummett remains absent from a calf injury that's taking a long time to fully recover.

Howe has also given his backing to Jamaal Lascelles after his disastrous display at Leicester, suggesting he'll start again here.

As for the hosts, Jota is expected to return after coming on as a sub in Liverpool's 1-0 win over Aston Villa, while Roberto Firminio and Cutis Jones could be back in the squad after training this week.

Predicted line ups

(4-4-1-1): Dubravka – Manquillo, Schar, Lascelles, Lewis – Almiron, Hayden, Shelvey, Willock, Joelinton - Wilson.

(4-3-3): Alisson - Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson - Fabiho, Thiago, Henderson - Salah, Jota, Mane.

It would be a brave choice, but I wouldn't be surprised if Howe sticks with a back four here.

With Clark in awful form, Fernandez injured and Krafth not suited to playing at centre-back, Schar and Lascelles could continue at centre-back, with Manquillo and Lewis either side of them.

One change that seems likely is the return of Isaac Hayden, who could help beef up a midfield that looked far too soft on Sunday, with Shelvey and Willock not offering our defence nearly enough protection.

So, I see him coming into a midfield three which sees Allan Saint-Maximin sacrificed.

He may have the individual talent to hurt Liverpool, but we've seen more of the bad than the good from him in recent weeks - and his lack of running and tendency to give the ball away in bad areas could prove costly when Salah, Mane and Jota are about.

Out wide, the energy and non-stop running both Almiron and Joelinton provide could offer protection to the full-backs, but also an outlet when we look to break on the counter.

Callum Wilson was starved of service at Leicester and may have the same problem here, however Hayden's presence in midfield could allow Willock to make runs in support of Wilson, with Shelvey's balls in behind also a weapon we could look to use.

Match prediction

I'd love to be more optimistic, but I just can't see us getting anything here.

They are in ruthless form, scoring goals for fun at one end and keeping clean sheets for fun, with them conceding just one goals in their last five games.

You go into every game hoping for a result, of course, but some may be relieved if this one ends without our goal difference (and confidence) taking another battering as it did at Leicester last weekend.

Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle

HOWAY THE LADS!