Liverpool vs Newcastle 04/02/18

04 March 2018

After yet another convincing victory, 4-1 against West Ham last weekend, Liverpool have every intention to maintain a good form versus the struggling Newcastle United that are desperate to get a positive outcome to bolster their hopes of avoiding relegation. The Reds have won four out of their last five games at Anfield, scoring seventeen goals in the process, four of them against the EPL leaders, Manchester City. Jurgen Klopp’s side needs a victory, as they only have four points lead over the fifth-placed Chelsea. On the other hand, the Magpies have secured seven points in their previous five road games, losing only to the Citizens. However, considering recent Liverpool attacking performances, all Newcastle players will have to be at their maximum if they look to leave the Merseyside unbeaten. Rafael Benitez would surely settle for a draw, but it will be far from easy.

Nathaniel Clyne, who suffered a back injury last summer, is expected to return to action within a month, while the third-choice goalkeeper Adam Bogdan will also be left out of the squad due to a cruciate ligament rupture.

Benitez can’t count on Jesús Gamez and the January signing Islam Slimani, who sustained a thigh muscle strain and has yet to make his debut.