Paul Merson is backing Newcastle to beat Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday – providing we come out of the traps “at a hundred miles an hour” and unsettle Jurgen Klopp’s Reds in the early stages of the game.
If we start fast at St James’ Park, he doesn’t see Liverpool “being able to cope” with our intensity, highlighting that Bournemouth caused them problems in the opening 20 minutes of last Saturday’s game at Anfield.
Merson feels a win here for Eddie Howe’s Mags would “set them up for a top-four finish” and “send a message” to the rest of the Premier League.
As for Liverpool, he fears for new signing Wataru Endo if he’s asked to make his league debut, but discusses how impressed he’s been by former Toon target Dominik Szoboszlai, saying he “couldn’t believe how good he was” during their 3-1 win over the Cherries last weekend.
Here’s what Merson’s had to say about the game and both clubs in his weekly prediction piece for Sportskeeda:
“If Newcastle start this game at a hundred miles an hour, I don’t see Liverpool being able to cope with them. They need to turn it on like they did against Aston Villa. I watched Liverpool against Bournemouth last week, and Bournemouth were very good in the first 20 minutes of the game.
“I thought Newcastle would be underachievers this season, but they were brilliant in their first game. They had an opportunity to seize the initiative against Man City, but they didn’t win that game. They’ve had a hard start to their season and if they win this game, they’ll have won six out of nine points – it could set them up for a top-four finish. It would send a message to the rest of the Premier League that they’re a big threat.
“Wataru Endo could play in a midfield three for Liverpool, but the problem is that it’ll be his first game for the team, and I couldn’t think of a worse one than a game against Newcastle. I would’ve played him against Bournemouth last week where Liverpool would dominate. I was very impressed with Dominik Szoboszlai the other day – I couldn’t believe how good he was.
“If Newcastle play the way they usually do and start, they can smother Liverpool all over this pitch. If they can make the most of their start, I think they’ll be able to win this game.”
Prediction: Newcastle United 3-1 Liverpool
