Liverpool vs Newcastle United: Match Preview

Rafael Benitez returns to Anfield again on Saturday as his Newcastle side are Liverpool’s next Premier League opposition.

There are ten games to go in the 2017/18 season and Liverpool and Newcastle are at opposite ends of the table with different targets for the end of the season.

Newcastle are targeting survival. The Magpies are currently involved in this years relegation dogfight, sat in 15^th just 2 points above the drop-zone and they could find themselves in the bottom 3 should they lose against the Reds on Saturday evening.

READ MORE: James Milner is earning rave reviews, and he didn’t cost Liverpool a penny

Liverpool, on the other hand, are flying at the moment: a win would take Liverpool second with Manchester United playing on Monday.

Liverpool head into Saturday's Anfield clash with Newcastle United just two strikes short of recording 200 Premier League goals under Jürgen Klopp. (@LFC)

Full stats https://t.co/1LtrRuyWTy pic.twitter.com/0K4VL2Vkxe

— Anfield HQ (@AnfieldHQ) March 3, 2018

The Reds have not lost at home in the league so far this season and Jurgen Klopp is looking to become the first Liverpool manager since Rafael Benitez to finish a league campaign unbeaten at Anfield.

The Magpies have had a rollercoaster season on their return to the Premier League and are unbeaten in their last 4 league games with 1 win and 3 draws.

READ MORE: Virgil van Dijk’s arrival could enhance Joel Matip’s performance for Liverpool

The win came against Manchester United at St James’ Park with Newcastle beating Mourinho’s side by a goal to nil after a Matt Ritchie strike.

Liverpool have lost just once in our seven league games in 2018. A 1-0 defeat away to Swansea was hard to take considering we beat league leaders Manchester City just a week earlier, and the Reds will be desperate not to slip up against Newcastle today.

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Saturday, April 23, 2016: Newcastle United’s manager Rafael Benitez during the Premier League match against Liverpool at Anfield. (Pic by Bradley Ormesher/Propaganda)

Liverpool come into the game on the back of beating West Ham 4-1 at Anfield last weekend. Emre Can put the Reds ahead with our 100^th goal of the season in all competitions

Mohammed Salah strengthened Liverpool’s lead, finishing after clever play from Oxlade-Chamberlain.

Another class ‘no-look’ goal from Roberto Firmino saw Liverpool go 3-0 up. Bobby has now scored as many ‘no-look’ goals as Paul Pogba has scored (3) this season.

Michail Antonio scored 2 minutes after Liverpool took a 3-0 lead but it was game over when Sadio Mane made it 4-1 in the 77^th minute. It was the second time that we have beaten West Ham 4-1 this season and David Moyes still seeks his first win at Anfield.

HUDDERSFIELD, ENGLAND – Tuesday, January 30, 2018: Liverpool’s manager Jürgen Klopp and Roberto Firmino during the FA Premier League match between Huddersfield Town FC and Liverpool FC at the John Smith’s Stadium. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

Gini Wijnaldum and Ben Woodburn are the only LFC players absent due to illness.

Nathanial Clyne could be in the squad for the first time this season after playing 90 minutes for the Under 23’s when they beat Stoke 4-0 last Sunday.

Clyne hasn’t featured for the first team all season due to a back problem. Meanwhile Jonjo Shelvey faces a late fitness test to see if he is fit to feature against his old club.

READ MORE: Clyne returns to a very different situation

LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND – Saturday, April 1, 2017: Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne in action against Everton during the FA Premier League match, the 228th Merseyside Derby, at Anfield. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)

The last time Rafa Benitez and his Newcastle side came to Anfield was in the 15/16 season and the Reds threw away a 2 goal lead with the match finishing 2-2.

First-half goals from Daniel Sturridge and Adam Lallana were cancelled out by strikes from Papiss Cisse and Jack Colback in the second half.

Rafa. pic.twitter.com/g28BUUtUHN

— Oliver Bond (@Oliver__Bond) March 3, 2018

It was also a draw when the two sides met earlier on in the season at St James’ Park. Coutinho put the Reds ahead with a spectacular strike but Joselu equalised 7 minutes later after managing to get in behind the Liverpool defence.

Graham Scott is the referee this evening for the fixture which is kicking off at 17:30 GMT. The 50-year-old was also in charge during our 5-1 win against Brighton earlier on in the season.

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Source: anfieldhq.com