Games between Newcastle and Liverpool have a history of producing goals galore!
Who will ever forget those 4-3 games back in the late 1990’s with all the attacking flair that both sides possessed, with the likes of Robbie Fowler, Steve McManaman and Stan Collymore matched up against the likes of Les Ferdinand, Tino Asprilla and David Ginola?
So, more of the same on Sunday when Liverpool make the trip up north?
Maybe.
This Liverpool side is so frustrating. We have such an outstanding array of attacking talent, we create plenty of chances, have tonnes of efforts on goal but we simply aren’t clinical enough and haven’t got a potent goalscorer. It’s an issue that is costing us in games but sooner or later, a team is going to be on the end of a hiding from the Reds.
As much as I hope that will happen at the weekend, we come up against a manager who is very tactically astute. We all know how meticulous Rafa Benitez can be and he will leave no stone unturned trying to nullify Liverpool’s explosive attack.
Newcastle have had a strange start to the season winning three and losing three of their six Premier League games so far. They have a few good players in captain Jamaal Lascelles and midfield men Matt Ritchie and Mikel Merino.
They also have Dwight Gayle, who has been a bit of a bogeyman to Liverpool in the past, along with ex-Red Jonjo Shelvey.
This is a game that Liverpool have to win to keep in touch with the other potential top four contenders. We should have far too much for Newcastle and even with Rafa’s tactical expertise, I still fancy the Reds to run out comfortable winners. I’m also going to predict a clean sheet as well, with Simon Mignolet expected to return to the starting line-up.
Prediction
Newcastle 0-2 Liverpool (Salah & Wijnaldum)
