By Sam McGuire
The potential for an all-time classic increases when there’s a bit more at stake than just three points. And this is the case this week as the table-topping Reds host the Champions League chasing Magpies at Anfield.
Fortress Anfield could deliver the Premier League title
Arne Slot’s men have 11 games left this season and seven of these fixtures are at Anfield.
If the Reds take maximum points from these games, the league title is all but guaranteed. Even five wins from these seven matches should stand them in good stead. Liverpool have enjoyed home comforts this season. They have the best home record in the Premier League with 29 points from 36 on offer. They’ve won nine matches, scored 26 goals and conceded on just 10 occasions.
They’re currently running at a rate of 2.41 points per game at Anfield. If they’re able to extend that across the remainder of the season, they’ll rack up a further 17 points on home turf and it’ll take their points haul to 81 with four away matches to play.
Looking at the current state of play, 85 points should be enough to win the title this term.
So, like we said, doing the business at Anfield sets Liverpool up for title success.
Mohamed Salah vs Alexander Isak
On Wednesday evening, two of the form strikers in the world face off.
Salah has nine goals and four assists in his last eight appearances for the Reds across all competitions. He’s comfortably the best player in the Premier League this term with 25 goals and 16 assists in 27 appearances.
He has 10 goals against Newcastle, four in his last two appearances against the Magpies and, perhaps more impressively, he has assisted at least one goal in each of his last five appearances against Eddie Howe’s side.
The three-time Golden Boot winner is the best attacker in world football right now. The only one who can get close to him, and he’s still a fair bit away from him, is Isak.
Since the turn of the year, Isak has eight goals and one assist in nine matches across all competitions. His double against Nottingham Forest 19 goals in the Premier League. The Liverpool transfer target has doubles in three of his last six outings for the Magpies. He also has a good record against the Reds with three goals and an assist since the move to England.
Seeing these two go head-to-head is something you aren’t going to want to miss out on. The winner of this battle could well determine the winner of the match.
Patchy form for both
Both teams won their last match in the Premier League but their form over recent weeks could best be described as patchy.
The Reds are unbeaten since September but haven’t been at their best in February. Arne Slot’s side have won three and drawn two across their last five in the English top-flight. They have given up leads in games against Everton and Aston Villa, settling for 2-2 draws in both games, while narrowly beating Wolves at Anfield.
Newcastle, meanwhile, have lost three of their last five in the Premier League. They ran out 4-3 winners over Nottingham Forest last time out to get things back on track. They are, once again, in contention to claim a top four finish. With better form, they’d be a shoo-in for it.
Their form has been erratic though. A 4-0 loss to an out-of-sorts Manchester City side was a red flag. As was the 2-1 loss to Fulham and a 4-1 defeat Bournemouth at St James’ Park.
Howe’s side are Jekyll and Hyde as of late. They have the quality to cause an upset at Anfield. There’s also every chance they get battered by the runaway leaders.
Key players out for both teams
Liverpool head into the game without Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez and Tyler Morton. The latter hasn’t been involved much this term but the absence of Bradley and Gomez severely limits Slot.
It means Jarell Quansah is cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold, Ibrahima Konaté and Virgil van Dijk. And the Liverpool right-back has been looking a little leggy over recent weeks. He was given a torrid time by Jérémy Doku at the Etihad, winning just two of his 14 ground duels. He could do with a rest but Slot just doesn’t have the squad options to do that just now.
Newcastle are without Joelinton, Jamal Lascelles and Sven Botman. The former and the latter are starters for the Magpies and big losses for Howe. There is cover, Dan Burn is playing at centre-back while Joe Willock and Lewis Miley have come into midfield over recent weeks, but the team is weaker without those two players in the starting XI.
It’ll be interesting to see who gets the nod at Anfield.
Prediction
We’re going with a 2-1 win for the hosts. Salah really wants this Premier League title and he isn’t going to be stopped. We’re expecting another goal and assist.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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