Liverpool vs. Newcastle: Team News, Live Stream, TV Info, Ticket News
Three days after one of the most one-sided Merseyside derbies in recent memory, Liverpool welcome Newcastle United to Anfield for another clash with great significance to the Reds' Premier League history.
The Magpies, helmed by former Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, will be looking to seal an unlikely victory over an in-form home side, with the Spaniard hoping to use his experience of six years in charge at Anfield to his advantage.
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From one of Liverpool's most celebrated managers to the next, Benitez will pit his managerial talents against the Kop's new idol, Jurgen Klopp, who is searching for a fifth consecutive victory in a profitable spring run.
Buoyed by Wednesday night's 4-0 victory at home to Everton, Liverpool can continue their preparation for a UEFA Europa League semi-final clash with Villarreal by notching another win over Newcastle on Saturday, but having taken a point at home to Manchester City in midweek, Benitez's side will arrive confident.
Can Klopp vanquish one of his storied predecessors or will Benitez enjoy his Anfield reunion?
Date: Saturday, 23 April
Time: 3 p.m. BST/10 a.m. ET
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
TV Info: NBCSN (U.S. only)
Live Stream: NBC Sports Live Extra (U.S. only)
Form Lines (Last 5 Games)
Liverpool: D-W-W-W-W
Newcastle: D-L-L-W-D
Team News
Heading into Saturday's clash, the main talking point regarding Klopp's team selection is the absence of Divock Origi, with the 21-year-old likely to miss the rest of the season with an ankle injury sustained in Wednesday's win over Everton, according to the Liverpool Echo's James Pearce.
With five goals in his last five appearances, the much-improved Origi will be a major loss for the Reds, though speaking to reporters including the club's official website on Friday, Klopp remained optimistic:
"We will try everything, everything, [to make sure] the season is not over without taking any risks for the player. That’s how it is.
I am long enough in this business to know we are all different, all individuals, so we don’t have to say any general things. We only have to work with him and then we will see what happens. It is the same with Emre Can and so on.
As I said, we are all individuals. A long time ago, I had an ACL [injury] and played after four months, and nobody could believe it worked but I didn’t have a problem with it.
Why should we say now his season is over when we still believe a little bit there can be a few games for him? We have to see.
"
Nevertheless, Origi will certainly miss Saturday's clash with Newcastle and joins Can (ankle), Danny Ings (ACL), Joe Gomez (ACL) and Jordan Henderson (knee) on the long-term injury list.
Martin Skrtel is currently struggling with a groin problem, while Klopp confirmed that Christian Benteke needs "a few more sessions" before he can make his return from an LCL injury.
Compounding his problems on Tyneside, Benitez's squad has been hampered by a number of serious injuries throughout 2015/16, and the 56-year-old's selection is unlikely to have changed significantly from Tuesday's draw with City—though Benitez remains undeterred by this.
Addressing the media, including the Chronicle's Chris Waugh on Friday, Benitez hailed the reaction of his squad players during a tumultuous period:
Despite being without centre-backs Steven Taylor (muscular issues) and Fabricio Coloccini (calf), full-backs Daryl Janmaat (groin) and Massadio Haidara (knee) and goalkeepers Tim Krul (ACL), Rob Elliot (ACL), Benitez seems confident of naming a side capable of challenging the Reds at Anfield.
The former Real Madrid manager will be buoyed by the returning Kevin Mbabu, with the versatile defender recovering from a hip problem to bolster the Newcastle ranks—though he is unlikely to start.
Predicted Lineups
With one eye on Thursday night's trip to take on Villarreal, Klopp is likely to make a handful of changes to the side that triumphed at home to Everton in midweek.
However, with four days' rest between the two games, his defensive line could remain the same, meaning Simon Mignolet, Nathaniel Clyne, Dejan Lovren, Mamadou Sakho and Alberto Moreno keep their places against the Magpies.
In midfield, the questionable fitness of Lucas Leiva and the rise of James Milner as a creative force from the flanks could see Klopp change his options in the middle of the park, with Joe Allen and Kevin Stewart able to operate as a compact, two-man unit.
If Milner switches to the right wing, Klopp could also deploy 20-year-old Jordon Ibe alongside his No. 10, Roberto Firmino, resting Adam Lallana and Philippe Coutinho, while Origi's injury ensures Daniel Sturridge's place.
Benitez is unlikely to make many changes to the side that held City at St. James' Park on Tuesday night, with Karl Darlow, Vurnon Anita, Chancel Mbemba, Jamaal Lascelles and Paul Dummett set to be rewarded for their stoic performances in the Newcastle defence.
In midfield, the resurgence of Chieck Tiote should see the Ivorian keep his place alongside Jack Colback, with Jonjo Shelvey and Georginio Wijnaldum sitting in reserve.
Flanking Benitez's captain Moussa Sissoko, Andros Townsend and Ayoze Perez are likely to keep their places from the midweek draw, though this three-pronged support could be deployed around a different centre-forward.
Senegalese striker Papiss Cisse has so far struggled to find consistency in leading the line under Benitez, and while Aleksandar Mitrovic has provided Newcastle with an excellent impact option, the 21-year-old could come into the starting lineup to pose a threat to Liverpool's centre-backs.
Likely Liverpool XI: Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Allen, Stewart; Milner, Firmino, Ibe; Sturridge
Likely Newcastle XI: Darlow; Anita, Mbemba, Lascelles, Dummett; Tiote, Colback; Townsend, Sissoko, Perez; Mitrovic
Players to Watch
Daniel Sturridge
After a long spell out with injuries, Sturridge is close to hitting top form in a Liverpool shirt, and after scoring the 50th goal of his Reds career against Everton on Wednesday night, he will be keen to add to his tally at the weekend.
"It is great to get to 50 goals. I won’t play it down and say I’m not happy I’ve done so well so far with the club but it is onwards and upwards," the No. 15 told the Press Association (h/t This is Anfield) after the game.
"It is important to understand now the next aim is 100 goals."
Can Sturridge beat Darlow at Anfield and continue his quest for a century of goals for Klopp's Liverpool?
Moussa Sissoko
When Benitez arrived at Newcastle, he will have acknowledged a squad low on morale and lacking in motivation, with France international midfielder Sissoko one of those whose head had dropped during a gruelling campaign.
But in Sissoko, Benitez spotted a player with "potential and quality," as he told the Chronicle's Lee Ryder at the end of March, and installing the 26-year-old as his captain, the Newcastle manager is now reaping the benefits.
Sissoko is now running further, tackling harder and spearheading the Magpies' attacks with the verve that made him such an exciting signing when he arrived from Toulouse in 2013.
Whether the notoriously inconsistent Sissoko can keep this up remains to be seen, but after starring against City on Tuesday night, he has served up a reminder of his ability to put Liverpool to the sword at Anfield.
Key Battle
Jordon Ibe vs. Vurnon Anita
If Klopp opts to field Ibe on the left flank on Saturday, the Liverpool academy product's pace and direct attacking style could exploit Newcastle's makeshift right-back, Anita.
Anita has made three league appearances at right-back under Benitez, following injury to Janmaat, with his natural position coming in the middle of the park.
The tenacious Dutchman has fared reasonably well in this new position, however, and his sweeping effort set the Magpies on their way to a draw against City at St. James' Park.
Ibe was in impressive form in his last start for the Reds, in the 2-1 win away to Bournemouth in mid-April, and will pose a considerable test of Anita's credentials on the right side of Benitez's defence.
Odds
Liverpool: 59/100
Newcastle: 11/2
Draw: 333/100
Odds via Odds Shark and correct at time of writing.
Ticket Information
For ticket information on all Premier League games, visit the official site or go to the ticket page on Liverpool's official website. Secondary ticket information for Liverpool can be found here.
Statistics via Transfermarkt.co.uk.
