Newcastle United double striker doubt ahead of Liverpool as Eddie Howe makes 'difficult' admission

As it stands, Alexander Isak is a doubt for the game after being forced to withdraw just 22 minutes into the Magpies’ 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace on Saturday.

The Swede took a bang to the hip and although it is hoped he can recover quickly, another match in four days’ time could come too soon.

Eddie Howe had both Callum Wilson and Will Osula on the bench at Selhurst Park but turned to Harvey Barnes to replace Isak. That saw Barnes come on to the right hand side of attack with Gordon moving into the central striker role.

Wilson seemed like the obvious replacement but Howe didn’t feel it was wise to introduce him at that time having only just returned from four months out. The 32-year-old had to wait until the final quarter of an hour before coming onto the pitch.

Howe explained: “It was a difficult one with Callum today, obviously he’s had minimal training time and we’ve got to be really careful we don’t push him too early and lose him. I didn’t feel bringing him on at that stage with the minutes left in the game was something I could do.

“The plan pre-game was 20 to 30 minutes as it was against West Ham. I decided to put Anthony up there who has done a really good job when he has gone up there for us previously and I thought he did well today. The lack of goalscoring opportunities aren’t on him, it’s one the team and we need to do better.”

With Howe & co carefully managing Wilson’s minutes, it seems unlikely he will be in a position to start against Liverpool on Wednesday.

Osula, meanwhile, was an unused substitute against Palace. The £15million summer signing from Sheffield United is yet to start a Premier League game for United.