Liverpool host Newcastle United at Anfield in a blockbuster Premier League clash to kick off 2024.
Jurgen Klopp’s Reds will stay top unless lose by seven or more goals although victory would put them three points clear of Aston Villa.
Newcastle meanwhile can go seventh with a win.
Team News
Alexis Mac Allister could return for Liverpool after he missed their last six matches in all competitions with a knee injury.
Ben Doak (knee), Konstantinos Tsimikas (shoulder), Joel Matip (ACL), Andrew Robertson (shoulder), Stefan Bajcetic (calf) and Thiago Alcantara (hip) remain absent.
Newcastle have no fresh injury concerns to report after their Boxing Day defeat against Nottingham Forest.
Elliott Anderson (back), Jamaal Lascelles (muscle), Matt Targett (hamstring), Nick Pope, Jacob Murphy (both shoulder), Sandro Tonali (suspension), Joe Willock (Achilles), Harvey Barnes (foot) and Javier Manquillo (groin) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Liverpool host Newcastle at Anfield on Monday 1 January 2024 at 8pm GMT, live on Sky Sports in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Liverpool are unbeaten in their last 14 meetings against Newcastle (W10, D4).
- Newcastle have claimed only five points in their last 27 league visits to Anfield (D5, L22).
- Klopp’s Reds have come from behind to win each of their last two home games against Newcastle (W2).
- Mac Allister has made more tackles than any other Liverpool player this season in the top-flight, with 31 tackles in 14 appearances.
- Miguel Almiron has been substituted on more occasions than any other Newcastle player this season, having been susbtituted in 13 of his 19 league appearances.
Prediction
After Arsenal’s slip-up, Liverpool know that this game marks a huge opportunity for them to kick on in the title race ahead of their blockbuster FA Cup clash next weekend in North London.
Klopp though will be pleased with how his Reds beat Burnley in a clinical yet nervy performance where they dominated comfortably, whilst managing to play the patient game against a resilient James Trafford in goal who proved a tough customer to put the ball past.
Newcastle meanwhile are certainly feeling the effects of their limited squad depth which clearly showed in the second half of their defeat to Forest, having looked pretty solid on the attack in the first half but managing their fatigue continues to be an issue especially on the road.
Throw in their Anfield hoodoo on top of their current squad issues and I can’t see Newcastle winning this unless they score first then defend like hell, but Liverpool ultimately should have too much quality to be kept at bay.
Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle
Result: Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle
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