Liverpool’s exhaustive run of 5 Premier League video games in 15 days concludes with the go to of Newcastle on one other evening that would have huge ramifications within the title race.
Liverpool vs. Newcastle
Premier League (28) | AnfieldFebruary 26, 2025 | 8.15pm (GMT)
The Reds will bounce into Wednesday’s recreation off the again of their 2-0 win over Man Metropolis, however that doesn’t imply Newcastle will likely be underestimated as they struggle for a Champions League spot.
That is an early preview of the Carabao Cup ultimate subsequent month and each golf equipment are usually not quick on motivation, right here’s every part you should know.
1. Nonetheless 3 absent for Liverpool
Cody Gakpo made a profitable return from an ankle damage off the bench at Man Metropolis, seeing Liverpool’s damage checklist diminished to a few.
Conor Bradley picked up a hamstring damage at Aston Villa and will likely be “out for a couple of weeks,” with Slot explaining that it’s “going to take some time till he’s again.”
Joe Gomez (hamstring) and Tyler Morton (shoulder) are the one different anticipated absentees. Alexis Mac Allister is sporting a black eye from the Metropolis win however will likely be match to characteristic at Anfield.
2. Newcastle duo “shut” to a return
Eddie Howe will certainly be with out defender Jamaal Lascelles for the Anfield journey as he recovers from an ACL damage, however two others are “shut” to creating their return.
Key defender Sven Botman has struggled on his return from an ACL damage and has missed Newcastle‘s final three video games, and on the eve of the match, Howe was non-committal over his probabilities.
“Sven is bettering and bettering shortly,” the Newcastle supervisor stated. “We’ll see if he makes the sport or not. He will likely be shut.”
The same replace was provided over Joelinton after his four-game absence with a knee damage, with the midfielder described as “shut” to a return.
Alexander Isak, nevertheless, is the one to look at for Liverpool because the striker has 19 objectives and 5 assists within the Premier League this season.
Predicted Newcastle XI: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Corridor; Willock, Guimaraes, Tonali; Murphy, Isak, Gordon
3. A later than ordinary kickoff
For the pleasure of only a few, you will need to keep in mind that Wednesday’s match will kick off at 8.15pm (GMT).
It’s 45 minutes later than each different league match happening on the identical night, which is supposed to permit followers watching from house the pleasure of viewing a couple of recreation. Neglect followers attending the video games, although!
This spherical of Premier League fixtures will all be proven dwell by TNT Sports activities, which you’ll be able to dwell stream right here.
4. One eye on Arsenal
Arsenal shot themselves within the foot over the weekend by dropping to West Ham, and Liverpool will likely be hoping they do related after they journey to Nottingham Forest this week.
Actually, Mikel Arteta’s facet will kick off 45 minutes sooner than Liverpool on Wednesday, and there’ll little doubt be eyes forged of their path all through the evening.
Forest are nearer to Arsenal (six factors) than the Gunners are to the Reds (11 factors) within the desk, and right here’s hoping the hole solely grows by the point we name it a day on Wednesday!
5. 2 adjustments for Liverpool?
That is the fifth and ultimate Premier League match spanning 15 days for Liverpool, a run that has seen them financial institution eight of a attainable 12 factors.
The turnaround between the ultimate whistle on the Etihad and the primary at Anfield is a bit more than three days, however the promise of a seven-day break might see Slot go for consistency once more.
Two attainable adjustments, nevertheless, might see Dominik Szoboszlai earn an early relaxation after an exhaustive 4 90-minute shows, with Curtis Jones taking over his function.
If match to begin, Gakpo is a primary candidate to return to the left wing and Diogo Jota can be a perfect choice – though he was unused at Metropolis after declaring himself not totally match.
Predicted Reds XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones, Mac Allister; Salah, Gakpo, Jota
6. Slot: Title race is way from over
With an 11-point hole over Arsenal, who’ve performed a recreation much less, there’s loads of discuss concerning the title solely heading to at least one vacation spot. Slot’s message, nevertheless, was that there’s an extended option to go:
“I don’t suppose I have to even implement that message.
“These are the gamers that performed – and I do know the Forest followers are going to love me saying this once more – however these gamers performed the Forest house recreation, these gamers performed the Fulham house recreation, these identical gamers performed the Manchester United house recreation and the identical gamers performed Newcastle away, which was a really tough recreation for us – two instances being a aim down after which being one aim up and ultimately drawing it to 3-3.
“I don’t suppose it’s mandatory. These gamers are so lengthy on this competitors, even for much longer than me, in order that they know the way tough each single recreation is and if you need to play 11 that it’s nonetheless an extended option to go.”
7. One other huge evening for Mo?
Mohamed Salah goes to empty the financial institution of superlatives to explain his season, which might but see extra information tumble with objectives towards the Magpies.
He wants only one extra to maneuver into outright third on the membership’s all-time goalscorers checklist with 242, eclipsing Gordon Hodgson.
If he does rating, it is going to be a aim in 9 successive appearances for the membership. He already holds the membership file of 10, set in 2021.
But when he notches two objectives, he’ll transfer into joint-fifth place on the Premier League’s all-time goalscorers checklist, alongside Sergio Aguero on 184.
Go ‘ed, Mo!
8. Time to ‘make Anfield horrible’
With seven of Liverpool’s remaining 11 Premier League video games to be performed at Anfield, Virgil van Dijk had a easy message forward of the title run-in: “To make Anfield horrible for the opponent.”
“It’s a human [reaction] that there may very well be some anxious emotions kicking in, and that would nonetheless be the case,” Van Dijk stated of feelings within the stands.
“However I believe it solely helps us and them [the supporters] as nicely to make Anfield horrible for the opponent. More often than not now we have been doing that, and clearly the way in which we play helps with that as nicely.
“What number of house video games are left? Seven out of 11. So let’s be sure that these seven are going to be wonderful, as loud as attainable.”
If that doesn’t get you fired up, what is going to?
9. Kavanagh within the center
Chris Kavanagh will take cost of the Anfield assembly, it’s the third time he’ll oversee Liverpool this season following the house win over Man Metropolis and the draw at Nottingham Forest.
He has refereed Newcastle extra instances than some other membership (30), however Liverpool (16) have gained extra with him in cost than the Magpies.
Kavanagh will likely be assisted at Anfield by Simon Bennett and Dan Robathan, with Darren Bond performing because the fourth official. Matt Donohue, in the meantime, is taking over lead VAR duties.
Right here’s hoping now we have a match much like Sunday when Anthony Taylor didn’t make himself a speaking level!
10. How one can comply with the match with TIA!
A giant evening awaits and Liverpool vs. Newcastle will likely be proven dwell on TNT Sports activities 1 within the UK, protection begins at 6.30pm forward of the 8.15pm begin – let’s hope Rio Ferdinand is nowhere close to this one!
When you desire a extra biased view on proceedings then This Is Anfield’s dwell weblog is the place to be, Henry Jackson will likely be protecting you updated and entertained from 7.30pm.
Up the Reds!
