Opinions. Good, bad or indifferent, everyone’s got one.
Every man and his dog has their view on who Eddie Howe should select in his Newcastle United starting XI on any given matchday. So here’s our editor, Liam Kennedy’s view on what team he would select - not an expected XI - for the visit of title-chasing Liverpool.
Eddie Howe’s side, safe from Premier League relegation with four games to spare, host a Klopp & Co seeking three points to take them top of the table ahead of Manchester City’s evening kick-off at Leeds United.
The Reds sit second, one point behind City, and are the only team to have been in better form than United, who are ninth following 10 wins from 15 games, in 2022.
The two sides last met in December at Anfield, with Liverpool running out 3-1 winners.
Howe reflected: “Thinking back to that game, I thought we did perform well.
“It was very close – I’m still frustrated by their first goal, which I don’t think should have stood at the time, and the third goal right at the end of the game was a great strike, but it made it look maybe more comfortable than it was for them that night.
“But we’re going need a similar display in terms of our resilience and work ethic, but I think we’re going to need to show a little bit more quality going the other way and test them as much as we can.
We’re playing an outstanding team, probably one of the best in the world and it’s a great chance for us to see how far we’ve come.”
Howe named four changes for the 3-0 win at Norwich City last weekend - and he could do the same against Liverpool.
Here’s starting Newcastle United starting XI Liam Kennedy would select today:
Eddie Howe’s side, safe from Premier League relegation with four games to spare, host a Klopp & Co seeking three points to take them top of the table ahead of Manchester City’s evening kick-off at Leeds United.
5. Left-back - Matt Targett
Will he, won’t he? It’s one of the big questions facing Eddie Howe this summer - to make the deal for Targett permanent or look elsewhere? United fans are in favour, and so too am I.
6. Midfield - Jonjo Shelvey
Sat out the Norwich win on the bench but I have the feeling Howe will want him back in the side against the Reds. And I would bring him back, too. When he plays well, so do United.
7. Midfield - Bruno Guimaraes
Is he too good for United? We certainly need to hope the club match his lofty ambitions - and do so fast - as he’s proving himself to be a top, top class player who will undoubtedly rise to highest echelons of the game.
8. Midfield - Joe Willock
The former Arsenal man is in his best run of form in a Newcastle shirt, bar his remarkable goalscoring exploits last season - and long may it continue. His legs and breakability from the middle could be crucial.