Newcastle United’s 1-1 draw at Bournemouth last Saturday threatened to bring worrying news on the injury front.
Before the game had even kicked off, the Magpies were without No.9 Callum Wilson, who had picked a “minor hamstring issue” during training.
And across the evening at the Vitality Stadium, Eddie Howe watched as Joe Willock, Miguel Almiron and Allan Saint-Maximin withdrew, although the United head coach quickly discovered injuries to the latter two weren’t enough to keep them out of Liverpool today.
Jurgen Klopp’s side, meanwhile, have injuries of their own, although were able to welcome back the likes of Diogo Jota, Roberto Firmino and Virgil van Dijk for Monday’s 2-0 Merseyside derby victory over Everton.
Here, NewcastleWorld takes a look at each club’s injuries - seven of whom have been ruled out, while another three players are doubtful:
1. Thiago Alcantara - out
The Spaniard injured his hip in the build-up the Merseyside derby and will be out “for a while” according to Klopp.
2. Bruno Guimaraes - suspended
Newcastle have missed their Brazilian. The game against Liverpool is the last of his three-match ban.
3. Matt Targett - out
Targett returned to training this week after a month or so on the sidelines with a heel injury. But Howe has already said the left-back is unlikely to be risked v Liverpool.
4. Calvin Ramsay - out
Klopp confirmed on Friday that the summer signing from Aberdeen is set to miss the rest of the campaign with a back injury.