It’s a shame to see 2023 end so poorly for a Newcastle United side that have generally done us proud over the past year.
We’ve been to Wembley, secured a top-four finish, beaten Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Spurs and Chelsea, returned to the Champions League for the first time in 20 years – where we battered PSG in our first home game back – but a disastrous December sees us approach 2024 in the biggest slump since Eddie Howe and new owners arrived.
Our Boxing Day display against Nottingham Forest was pretty alarming. OK, it was a rare off day at St James’ Park, yet we looked like a side lacking belief, ideas, organisation and, dare I say, that togetherness we always pride ourselves on. All of that has to change and quickly, with Liverpool, Sunderland, Man City and Aston Villa all to come in our first four games of the New Year.
Speaking ahead of our trip to Merseyside, Howe has had this to say on our recent slump and the challenge that awaits at Anfield:
“We have tough games coming up but they’re games we relish. We’re not daunted by it, we will attack it and give it our best shot. Recent results have been a challenge for us and the last couple of performances haven’t been as good as they can be so we’re determined to get back and produce our best football.”
“We’ve had a couple of painful games against Liverpool but the positives from both of those games is that we’ve performed really well and we were competitive. We need to be near perfect in this game. The challenge for us is to find our best form and mentally be very strong.”
Team news
Joelinton is fit to start for the first time since our 3-0 win over Fulham and Jamaal Lascelles could return, but the game looks set to come too soon for the likes of Harvey Barnes, Joe Willock, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Nick Pope, Matt Targett and Javier Manquillo.
For Jurgen Klopp, he’ll be without Andy Robertson, Kostas Tsimikas and Joel Matip, but Diogo Jota is available again and Alexis Mac Allister could return after missing their last four.
Predicted XI: Dubravka – Trippier, Schar, Botman, Livramento – Miley, Bruno, Joelinton – Almiron, Isak, Gordon.
A couple of changes seem likely, starting with the return of Tino Livramento at left-back after Dan Burn was run ragged last time out. Against Mo Salah, we’ll need Tino’s pace and ability in one-vs-one situations.
In midfield, Longstaff has been off the pace since returning from an ankle issue, so I expect a fit-again Joelinton to come in alongside Bruno and Miley, with Isak keeping his place up top. Almiron is out of sorts and desperately needs a rest (or competition to put his first-team spot under pressure), but we’re sorely lacking in options down the right, with Murphy still sideline by a shoulder injury.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
I think we’ll see a reaction from that dismal Boxing Day defeat to Forest. There’s character in this side and the gap between fixtures has also allowed us some much needed time to recover and train; for the first time all month, apparently.
However, we are facing a Liverpool side back in title contention and fear we’ll come up just short. Hopefully I’m wrong, as it really would be huge to start the New Year with a big result on the back of such a disappointing December.
HWTL.
Happy new year Olly and all the regular guys on here! Hope we have a better 2024! 🍾🥂🍺🍺🍺
Gilly Toon(Quote)
We have our first team defence, if not keeper ready and available. The midfield need to cover them far more than they have done and we need to keep this game tight and show we can defend as a team, it is forgotten but that’s what made us so successful last season. We’ll never dominate Liverpool away so we need to play to our previous strengths, forget our current “style” and try to nick a draw, or whatever is available when we can.
Newkie(Quote)
Here is to a better second half to the season than the first.
Hope 2024 is a great year for the Toon Ollie and all on here.
The only way is up!!!
nutmag(Quote)
Happy New Year folks hope it’s a great one for all 👍🏼
Anfield – what a way to start the new year man 🤦🏼♂️.
Like most I’d imagine I don’t expect much in the way of a result – but I’m looking for that performance tonight.
For me Luton & Forest had it easy. We didn’t make them work for their wins.
Liverpool beating you at Anfield is no shame – but make them earn it!!.
Sharpy17(Quote)
No wilson and no Trippier. Bench is almost all goalies and defenders. Miggy on the bench. He and Ritchie are the only attacking subs. I fear the worst with Salah against Burn!
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Happy new year Olly and all on here, hope 2024 is awesome for you all.
Tough ask tonight but as long as we give it a real go.
HWTL
kimtoon(Quote)
That was like Dubs of old that save
Either it’s our lucky night or we are riding our luck and it’s a matter of time
kimtoon(Quote)
It’s like watching us from 2 seasons ago , it’s like last season never happened at times.
kimtoon(Quote)
I wasn’t sure that was a penalty, very soft, but great save. Karma really! Of the two offsides, I thought ours was just on, and theirs just off… 🤷🏻♂️. We were battered and only a matter of time before they score.
Gordon isn’t doing too well over there. I’d take Longstaff off, bring Joelinton back into mid and put Miggy on the right with Gordon left.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
And Joelinton needs to be careful. Some messy fouls and pushes. Bruno too.
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Last 15 of the first half ok – first 30 was men against boys.
I’m gonna dig Howe out again here though – WTF is he playing Burn for??? Zero pace against Salah FFS!!
He was RB for their goal FFS!!
Sharpy17(Quote)
There we go!!! He’s put Gordon back on his preferred wing & he creates!!
Howe has injuries but he’s making big mistakes in his team selections imo.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Huge break down the right comes to nothing again coz Miggy has to cut inside on his left 😡😡😡😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
Let’s give Salah all the time & space in the world again 👏🏼👏🏼
We are *****!!. This is pathetic football from Newcastle & it’s time to be honest – if this was Bruce we’d all be up a height
Sharpy17(Quote)
Absolute disgrace from the officials there – I thought it was a booking for a dive!!!
What’s the point in VAR if they don’t tell the ref to review that one man!! 😡😡
Sharpy17(Quote)
Aye it’s not good at all.
kimtoon(Quote)
A horror show. Cheating, diving barstards
Gilly Toon(Quote)
Fuming. 😡
Gilly Toon(Quote)
I love what Howe has done since he has come in – but he was riding a wave with everything going his way.
My faith took a huge dent tonight. I’m not saying I want him out – but huge question marks after being well beaten.
I said a lose at Anfield was to be expected – but we had to put a performance in – we didn’t!!
Dubravka faced the most shots of any team so far this season – their Xg was over 7 goals – 7!!!
That’s not good enough – and Howe has to own that!.
Sharpy17(Quote)