Newcastle line-up vs Liverpool predicted as Eddie Howe gets injury boost
Newcastle will be looking to bounce back from a couple of disappointing results when Liverpool visits St. James' Park tonight.
The Magpies started November in impressive fashion, winning away to high-flying Nottingham Forest before beating Arsenal at home, but are winless since the international break after losing to West Ham and drawing with Crystal Palace.
Eddie Howe is boosted by the availability of star striker Alexander Isak, who was withdrawn with a hip injury at Selhurst Park but has since confirmed he is fine.
Newcastle remains without defenders Sven Botman, Jamaal Lascelles and Emile Krafth, but seemingly has a clean bill of health otherwise, and it's unlikely that there will be too many changes from the team that lined up against Palace over the weekend.
Arne Slot knew Liverpool reality before Gary Neville made laughable prediction
Newcastle vs Liverpool - LIVE: Follow all the build-up plus match action
Nick Pope will start in goal, while the back four will likely consist of Tino Livramento and Lewis Hall at right and left full-back respectively, with Dan Burn partnering Fabian Schar in the center of defense.
Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton make up a strong-looking midfield, while there could be one change in attack, with Ashley Barnes coming in for Joe Willock. That switch would allow Anthony Gordon to move over to his favored left wing, with Barnes slotting in on the right and Isak starting up front.
Speaking in his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, Newcastle boss Howe said that his side needs to play to its maximum potential in order to get a result against the league leaders. "I think we're always confident at home," he said. "I think regardless of the opponent, we have to be our best selves and we have to learn lessons from previous games and find ways to evolve and improve.
"Very recently we beat Chelsea in the cup and Arsenal at home - there's absolutely no reason why we can't continue that positive run.
"We have to view the game for what it is. We have to, as I say, nullify their threats. We have to be strong defensively, but we have to bring our strengths as well and our strengths are unique to us when we're playing at home."
Predicted Newcastle team vs Liverpool: Pope; Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Joelinton, Guimaraes; Barnes, Gordon, Isak