The official reason why Kieran Trippier & Callum Wilson missed Newcastle United's trip to Liverpool

Eddie Howe has confirmed why Kieran Trippier and Callum Wilson missed Newcastle United's trip to Liverpool on New Year's Day.

The pair became the latest players to join the club's lengthy injury list after picking up knocks during the 3-1 defeat to Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day.

Trippier, who played 90 minutes, has a groin issue while Wilson, a 55th minute substitute, has a calf problem. But Howe doesn't think either injury is serious.

"In the last game they both picked up injuries, I don't think they're too serious," Howe told Sky Sports.

"Thankfully January is not as busy as December was but we'll wait and see how long they're going to be out for."

Newcastle haven't won at Anfield since 1994, while Howe has lost his 11 last matches against the Reds. Jurgen Klopp's side sit top of the Premier League table, 13 points above their visitors.

Howe's men start 2024 in difficult form having lost six of their last seven matches in all competitions, exiting both the Champions League and Carabao Cup, and slipping to ninth in the table.

"We haven't really been training," Howe added. "We have had to protect the players we've had who were fit and available.

"Hopefully, we can now get back to ourselves and we need to start well because the atmosphere will be red hot."

After Liverpool, United travel to Tyne-Wear rivals Sunderland on Saturday in the third round of the FA Cup.