Liverpool face Newcastle United this Saturday at Anfield, in the first game back after the international break. Liverpool are the only Premier League side to record four consecutive wins out of four this season. Newcastle have got off to a shaky start and will be looking to improve their form.
TEAM NEWS:
Liverpool: After having no real setbacks in the international break, Klopp will no doubt name what he considers to be his strongest starting XI. Alisson Becker continues to be their most notable absentee, with Adrian taking his place in goal. Defender Nathaniel Clyne is not expected to return until next year, having injured himself in pre-season. Apart from this, there are no real injury worries for the 'Reds'.
Newcastle: Striker Dwight Gayke is still out with a calf injury and will not feature in Saturday's game. Defender Florian Lejeune, midfielder Jack Colback, wingers Allan Saint-Maximin and Matt Ritchie are all out, while versatile wide player DeAndre Yedlin is doubtful with a groin problem. Defender Fabian Schar has come back from international duty in good form, having scored a goal and provided an assist for Switzerland. Miguel Almiron also scored his first international goal for Paraguay. Twenty-one-year-old midfielder Sean Longstaff, however, will be absent from the game after rolling his ankle in training.
MANAGER'S THOUGHTS:
Klopp: Jurgen Klopp has obviously been studying his oponents, saying "Newcastle did a lot of good stuff against Tottenham", "Newcastle will fight like crazy". He knows this will be a hard game and that the Magpies will not give in that easily. He knows that they have a good chance of winning tomorrow and so they "must do it". When talking about the international break, he said it is always difficult, especially for top 6 sides who have a lot of players away on duty, but he is lucky that most of them have come back healthy.
Bruce: The Magpies head into the weekend severely injury hit, with Bruce telling reporters that he will without another regular starter on Saturday, as Longstaff gets injured in training. When speaking about Newcastle, he said "Up front they’re as good as I’ve seen, so we’ll have to defend well,” “It’s always been a big fixture, and you want to go there and take them on. It’s what we’re in it for.” Showing that they are willing to put up a fight. He also remains surprisingly optimistic and says that "records are there to be broken" when asked about Newcastle's record against Liverpool.
Did you know?
Newcastle have not won at Anfield for more than 25 years. Liverpool have 85 wins to Newcastle's 50 in the all time head-to-head.
RECENT FORM:
POSSIBLE LINE-UPS:
Liverpool: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Firmino, Mane
Newcastle: Dubravka; Krafth, Lascelles, Schar, Dummett, Willems; Almiron, Hayden, Longstaff, Atsu; Joelinton