Preview: Liverpool vs. Newcastle United: lineups, info about the teams and prediction 

The Premier League’s New Year’s Day schedule for 2024 includes a battle of the North when Liverpool hosts Newcastle United at their Anfield base on Monday.

The Reds’ 2-0 victory over Burnley on Boxing Day put them atop the table, while Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 home victory over the Magpies last time out left them humbled.

Match Preview 

In Liverpool’s thrilling pre-Christmas draw with leaders Arsenal, wasted opportunities came back to haunt the team. Jurgen Klopp’s team nearly suffered a similar fate at Turf Moor, when chance after chance went begging following Darwin Nunez’s beautiful opener.

But even as the supporters of Burnley started to speak up following two Reds goals that were called back—one much more controversial than the other—Vince Kompany’s team was unable to take advantage of the situation, and Diogo Jota sealed the victory for Liverpool in the 90th minute with a shot from an extremely close angle.

At Turf Moor, goals from Harvey Elliott and Cody Gakpo were disallowed. Klopp called the latter strike “insane” because he believed Mohamed Salah was interfering from an offside position. However, Liverpool currently holds first place after Arsenal lost to West Ham United at home a few days later.

It remains to be seen, though, if the Reds will ring in the New Year on top. Arsenal can reclaim their position temporarily by defeating Fulham on New Year’s Eve; before that, a fantastic nine goals would take Aston Villa to the top against Burnley.

They won four of their next five games to draw one, but they haven’t lost on New Year’s Day since 2005. They won their first eleven home games of the new season and then drew their last three matches at Anfield, which may have soured the mood a little.

On the other hand, the Newcastle supporters, who were doomed to their sixth defeat in seven games against Nuno Espirito Santo’s Nottingham Forest because of a former marksman, will be hoping that the fresh Year will infuse fresh life into their undermanned and underperforming team.

Although Alexander Isak scored the opening goal from the penalty spot, Chris Wood’s incredible hat-trick of three exquisite left-footed goals startled St James’ Park and derailed the Boxing Day celebrations in the Northeast.

With the exception of victories against Fulham and Manchester United at home, December was a forgettable month for the Magpies, who currently sit in ninth position in the table and are considered European outsiders. However, it is unlikely that Howe’s team will go any lower at this point.

Given Newcastle’s early European exit, the fixture calendar may not appear as intimidating as it once did, but the Magpies still have games against Aston Villa and Manchester City this month, in addition to an intriguing FA Cup third-round matchup with rivals Sunderland the following weekend.

Prior to facing their opponents, Howe’s team must first put an end to a dismal four-game losing streak on the road at Anfield, where they lost 2-1 to a late Fabio Carvalho goal in the previous season and by the same score at St. James’ Park in August after a Nunez-inspired comeback.

Team news 

Six well-known injury issues will not be available for Liverpool to play with in 2024: Kostas Tsimikas (collarbone), Ben Doak (knee), Joel Matip (knee), Stefan Bajcetic (calf), Thiago Alcantara (hip), and Andrew Robertson (shoulder).

Alexis Mac Allister, who is nearing recovery from a serious knee cut, will also require evaluation by the medical staff. If well enough, he might make it into the matchday roster, but a start is probably out of the question.

Wataru Endo had a great December playing at number six, and he will probably return to that position on New Year’s Day. However, after being benched at Turf Moor, most, if not all, of Dominik Szoboszlai, Ibrahima Konate, and Luis Diaz should be recalled.

Newcastle’s injury list has dropped below ten players, but eight injured soldiers are expected to stay out of action in addition to Sandro Tonali, who will serve the remaining portion of his betting ban for the first eight months of 2024.

However, Joelinton was cleared to start on the bench on Boxing Day following his hamstring worry. Nick Pope (shoulder), Jacob Murphy (shoulder), Harvey Barnes (foot), Jamaal Lascelles (groyne), Elliot Anderson (back), Javi Manquillo (groyne), Joe Willock (calf), and Matt Targett (thigh) are still out.

Given the unexpected effect of the inexperienced Lewis Miley, the Brazilian should put Sean Longstaff’s spot in the starting lineup in jeopardy. Howe might also be tempted to replace Dan Burn with Tino Livramento, but the former’s massive frame might be useful against Virgil van Dijk.

Liverpool possible starting lineup:
Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Gomez; Szoboszlai, Endo, Gravenberch; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez

Newcastle United possible starting lineup:
Dubravka; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Joelinton, Guimaraes, Miley; Almiron, Isak, Gordon

Prediction: Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle United

The 10th time in the Premier League that Liverpool has overcome the Magpies after falling down is remarkable; it is more than any other matchup in the history of the tournament. However, the hosts shouldn’t have to summon their reserves of resilience on Monday.

Klopp’s team is still a little worried about their ability to convert opportunities, but since Newcastle is still unable to find a way to win away from home, the table-topping Reds should start 2024 as strong as possible.