Premier League | Gameweek 14

Dec 4, 2024 at 7.30pm UK

St. James' Park

Newcastlevs.Liverpool

Match preview

Liverpool played like the men and Man City were the boys at Anfield on Sunday afternoon. Gary Neville said it best: the only real surprise from the Reds' two-goal win is that they did not sink the hapless holders by a more emphatic scoreline.

Cody Gakpo's tap-in at the back post and Mohamed Salah's second-half penalty saw Liverpool open up an astonishing 11-point gap over Man City. Despite this, a smirking Pep Guardiola still mustered up a six-finger retort to the Liverpool fans joking about an imminent P45.

But the most relevant figure of six on Sunday was Man City's sixth defeat from their last seven games in all competitions. In addition to extending their lead over the champions into the double figures, Liverpool remain nine clear of closest challengers Arsenal and Chelsea with a third of the season played.

No team in Premier League history with at least a six-point lead after 13 games has failed to win the title. Many believe that Liverpool are already guaranteed the title while they continue to win games easily. They have now won seven games in a row in all competitions.

What's more, in each of the last eight matches, Slot's side has scored multiple goals. The former Feyenoord boss hasn't suffered his first road defeat since taking over from Jürgen Klopp. There was only one minor away aberration in October's draw with Arsenal.

Wednesday's hosts in black and white have dropped points on the road more often than not, although Eddie Howe's men were only a couple of minutes away from leaving Selhurst Park with a narrow win on Saturday afternoon.

Marc Guehi's own goal from an Anthony Gordon cross looked like it was going to be the decider, but then the Crystal Palace defender – who's been linked with a big-money move to Newcastle – floated a lovely cross to the back stick, where Daniel Muñoz arrived to head home a stoppage-time leveller.

At least they got a point on the road, which was an improvement on last week's 2-0 home loss to West Ham United. But Newcastle's inconsistency is still hurting their European hopes. They're in 11th place in the Premier League, just four points from fourth.

The Magpies have only managed two wins in their last nine Premier League games, and they've failed to score in two of their last three at St James' Park. They could now lose back-to-back Premier League games for just the third time since the takeover.

It might be time for the Newcastle fans to turn away now, as their team has also lost six games in a row against Liverpool. They haven't won any of their last 15 matches against Liverpool, since a 2-0 victory in December 2015, when Georginio Wijnaldum, who would later play for Liverpool, scored a goal.

Recent Performance

Newcastle United Premier League form:LLWWLD

Newcastle United form (all competitions):LWWWLD

Liverpool Premier League form:WDWWWW

Liverpool form (all competitions):WWWWWW

Team News

Liverpool had an easy time of it against Man City on Sunday, despite having to work around a depleted defence. Ibrahima Konate (knee), Conor Bradley (hamstring), Kostas Tsimikas (ankle) and Alisson Becker (hamstring) were all out with injuries picked up against Real Madrid in the Champions League.

Given the 72-hour turnaround, it's unlikely any of the quartet will be back on Wednesday. The same goes for Diogo Jota (abdominal) and Federico Chiesa (fitness). However, Slot could still make a couple of familiar alterations.

It's likely we'll see the usual Dominik Szoboszlai-Curtis Jones change in midfield, while a fresh-legged Darwin Nunez will probably take over from either Gakpo or Luis Diaz. The latter played at the tip of the attack again on Sunday.

Newcastle boss Howe might also make a straight swap in the final third on Wednesday, but it'll be forced, as star striker Alexander Isak was taken off with an apparent hip injury in the draw with Palace at the weekend.

Howe gave us a positive update at the end of the match, saying that the Swede's problem was a contact injury rather than a muscle strain or tear. There's a good chance that Callum Wilson will now make his first Premier League start of the season.

Sven Botman (knee), Jamaal Lascelles (knee) and Emil Krafth (shoulder) are all out for the season and won't play again before the New Year.

Possible starting lineup

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:

Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Longstaff, Tonali, Guimaraes; Gordon, Wilson, Barnes

Liverpool possible starting lineup:

Kelleher; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Jones, Gakpo; Nunez