Newcastle United predicted starting XI v Liverpool as Eddie Howe makes bold decision

Not my words, but Eddie Howe’s. And after two disappointing results last week - first losing to West Ham United before drawing with Crystal Palace - the Magpies are in need of a positive reaction.

However, challenges don’t come tougher than Liverpool right now. Arne Slot’s men are the runaway Premier League leaders, sitting nine points above second place Arsenal with only one defeat to their name. Last week, they made beating Real Madrid and Manchester City look easy.

“They were very good, very strong,” said Howe. “What a week they’ve had when you look at Real Madrid and Manchester City. Two very good performances. They’re a team at the moment playing with full confidence.

“They’ve still got the hallmark of Liverpool under Jurgen Klopp, but Arne Slot has had his time with the team and he’s tweaked certain things, and that makes them a very difficult proposition because they’ve added new strengths.

“The players are playing well, their front players are notoriously very strong, so it’s going to need a strong defensive performance from us, and we’re certainly going to have to pose them questions the other way as well.”

By contrast, United sit 11th in the Premier League table. Inconsistency has been the buzzword of the season.

But there is also a concern about Newcastle’s lack of goals. Last season, only Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal scored more in the league. This term, they are fourth lowest scorers and failed to register a shot at goal against Palace at the weekend.

Howe partly put that down to now having Alexander Isak on the pitch from the 22nd minute onwards. The Swede took a blow to the hip early on and wasn’t able to continue. He should, however, recover quickly and be involved at St James’ Park tonight.

But what about the rest of the team? How will Newcastle line-up? Here’s the team we’re predicting Howe to name: