Date – 26th February 2025

Venue – Anfield

Kick-off – 20.15

After a superb 0-2 away to Manchester City on Sunday, Liverpool’s next encounter will see the Premier League leaders host a Newcastle United side at Anfield that has been conceding plenty of goals lately. Arsenal will face off against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground on the same night, however, Mikel Arteta’s men will be finishing their game just as the Reds start their second-half assault on the Geordies, thereby creating a brilliant night of football. These next two results for the first and second-placed teams could either allow the Gunners back into contention or end the title race before March.

This game also represents an opportunity to gauge the two clubs before they meet in the forthcoming EFL Cup final next month.

Newcastle United Availability

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe will be without several key players: Jamaal Lascelles and Joelinton are both ruled out, whereas Sven Botman faces a late fitness test.

In terms of recent form, the away side beat Nottingham Forest 4-3 in a superb match at St James Park after a 4-0 defeat away to Manchester City. Progression from the fourth round of the FA Cup was secured with a 2-3 away victory over Birmingham. After 26 matches in the top tier, 44 points have been accumulated leading to a 6th place standing in the current table for Eddie Howe’s men.

The predicted lineup for Newcastle, using a 4-3-3 formation, is as follows: a see block and counterattack will be employed with Anthony Gordon set to test the acumen of his international teammate, Trent Alexander Arnold.

GK – Nick Pope

RB – Tino Livramento

RCB – Fabian Schär

LCB – Dan Burn

LB – Lewis Hall

CM – Sandro Tonali

CM – Bruno Guimarães

CM – Lewis Miley

RW – Jacob Murphy

CF – Alexander Isak

LW – Anthony Gordon

Liverpool Availability

Liverpool will be without Joe Gomez who has sustained a hamstring injury, one that could keep him sidelined for much of the remainder of the season. Tyler Morton is injured for an undetermined period and Conor Bradley has also sustained a hamstring strain that could keep him sidelined until after the upcoming international break. Alexis Mac Allister is a doubt and unlikely to start this game.

Before Liverpool’s superb 0-2 win over Manchester City came a solid 2-2 draw at Villa Park. Before that the Reds recorded a 2-1 home win against Wolves and the controversial 2-2 draw at Everton. With 27 matches played, Liverpool currently tops the Premier League standings with an impressive 64 points.

Here is the expected lineup that Arne Slot will field for this away match against a team fighting to finish in the Champions League qualification places.

– GK: Alisson Becker

– RB: Trent Alexander Arnold

– RCB: Ibrahima Konaté

– LCB: Virgil van Dijk (c)

– LB: Kostas Tsimikas

– CM: Ryan Gravenberch

– ACM: Dominik Szoboszlai

– CM: Curtis Jones

– RF: Mohamed Salah

– CF: Diogo Jota

– LF: Cody Gakpo

How Will This Contest Play Out?

Liverpool is expected to employ some mild rotation with a week’s rest (following this game) until the first Champions League leg against PSG. The strength of each team’s midfield may be tempered by Newcastle’s lack of pace in central defence, something that Arne Slot will look to exploit with power and penetration. Alexander Isak versus the Reds two central defenders will be a brilliant spectacle, however, a home win should still be secured with Cody Gakpo proving the deciding factor.

Player to Watch: Cody Gakpo   

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Liverpool 2 – 0 Newcastle