Paul Gorst and Ian Doyle name their favorites for the upcoming Premier League clash with Newcastle
The North East’s attempts to create some kind of toxic and nasty rivalry between Liverpool and Newcastle are a bit strange.
No, it isn’t. But that doesn’t mean the Reds won’t have a tough afternoon in the Premier League on Tyneside later today.
And Jurgen Klopp has big decisions to make in most areas.
The centre-back has question marks over Ibrahima Konate’s form and I wouldn’t risk him. Instead, the extra pace of Joe Gomez ahead of Joel Matip will prove useful and he can play alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk, Trent Alexander-Arnold to the right of Alisson Becker in goal and
Andy Robertson on the left.
In midfield, Wataru Endo makes his full debut at number six, in a new-look engine room with Alexis Mac Allister on the right and Dominik Szoboszai on the left.
That means Cody Gakpo could be released in his usual false number nine role with Luis Diaz on the left and Mohamed Salah on the right at the expense of the unfortunate Diogo Jota in what will hopefully not be his last game for Liverpool.
I mean, it seems a little silly to leave this week, regardless of the money. The Saudis will also be interested next year if they can actually make a move that looks like they really want him instead of leaving it to the last minute as if Salah is some sort of afterthought. Own team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, MacAllister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Newcastle have only beaten Liverpool once in the Jurgen Klopp era, but you’d think the Magpies would have had some trouble up front.
St James’ Park was the only place the Reds beat away from home in last season’s top six, but a repeat today would make a decent start to a great one.
The big question is what to do with the potential absence of Ibrahima Konate? Despite Joe Gomez’s claims, I’m going with Virgil van Dijk instead of Joel Matip. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andy Robertson keep their places at full-back. Don’t miss it
Liverpool head coach Jürgen Klopp
