Newcastle United host Liverpool on Sunday afternoon in a Premier League classic that has developed a spiky edge in recent years.
Eddie Howe described matches between Newcastle and Liverpool as “iconic”, referencing the string of thrilling, goal-laden contests of the past which were epitomised by the defining 4-3 victory for the Merseysiders in 1996. In the Premier League era, these encounters have averaged more than three goals.
Almost three decades on, the rivalry between Howe and his opposite number Jurgen Klopp, which bubbles beneath the public veil of mutual respect, has given this matchup another intriguing layer.
Here’s everything you need to know about Sunday’s blockbuster.
Newcastle vs Liverpool H2H record (Last Five Games)
Current Form (Last Five Games)
|
Country |
TV channel/live stream |
|---|---|
|
United Kingdom |
Sky Ultra HD, Sky Sports Main Event, Sky Sports Premier League |
|
United States |
Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, nbcsports.com, USA Network, NBC Sports App, Telemundo |
|
Canada |
fuboTV Canada |
Joelinton limped off midway through Newcastle’s 1-0 defeat to Manchester City last weekend but returned to training before Sunday’s contest. Whether he will be rushed back into a midfield already without Joe Willock – who is still sidelined with a hamstring issue – remains to be seen.
The lesser-spotted defenders Javier Manquillo (groin) and Emil Krafth (knee) will be kept on the sidelines but Lewis Hall, Newcastle’s latest arrival from Chelsea for a fee of up to £35m, is in contention to start.
Newcastle predicted lineup (4-3-3): Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Guimaraes, Longstaff; Gordon, Isak, Barnes
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Trent Alexander-Arnold will be available for the trip to St James’ Park but Ibrahima Konate is a doubt. Klopp explained that the 40 minutes Liverpool played with ten men against Bournemouth last Saturday “didn’t help” anyone’s fitness but at least the player that was sent off, Alexis Mac Allister, will be available after the club successfully appealed his ban.
Neither Curtis Jones nor Thiago Alcantara will feature alongside Mac Allister in midfield but the World Cup winner may not be awkwardly shoehorned into the defensive pivot role again. After a week to bed in to his new surroundings, Wataru Endo could be handed his first Liverpool start on Sunday.
Liverpool predicted lineup (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Szoboszlai, Endo, Mac Allister; Salah, Jota, Diaz
Of all the clubs in the Premier League, Liverpool have gone the longest without tasting defeat in the competition. Klopp’s side will be confident about extending that streak to 14 matches on Sunday given their imperious record on Tyneside; the Reds last lost to Newcastle in 2015.
However, Howe’s side, stuffed with fleet-footed forwards, should be able to exploit Liverpool’s infamous high line – just as they did against Aston Villa on the opening day of the season.
Living up to the fixture’s iconic history, this could be a bit of barn-burner on Sunday afternoon.
Prediction: Newcastle 3-3 Liverpool
