Newcastle United’s expected starting XI versus Liverpool - four changes with key duo recalled
Newcastle United are eyeing a seventh straight victory at St James’ Park but against quadruple-chasing Liverpool, that will be no easy task.
Eddie Howe’s side, safe from Premier League relegation with four games to spare, host a Jurgen Klopp side 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 we’re predicted Howe to go with:
1. GK: Martin Dubravka
Dubravka has started the last 22 consecutive matches for Newcastle and kept his seventh clean sheet of the campaign at Norwich last time out.
2. RB: Emil Krafth
The Sweden international has made the right-back slot his own, starting nine of the previous 11 games in Kieran Trippier’s absence. Photo: George Wood
3. CB: Fabian Schar (in for Jamaal Lascelles)
Schar, who signed a new contract on Friday, was rested against Norwich having missed just one game since Howe arrived prior to the trip to Carrow Road. Photo: George Wood
4. CB: Dan Burn
The Blyth-born defender has pretty much been ever present in the starting XI following his January move from Brighton - missing just one game. Photo: Ian MacNicol