Just as Liverpool had begun to weather the storm against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, Swedish striker Alexander Isak smashed the ball in from distance to put his side in front.
Five more goals were scored in the same game — including a late equalizer from Fabian Schar after a Caoimhin Kelleher error of judgment — but even in the difficult circumstances of playing under the lights in a midweek fixture, Liverpool still should have won. On balance, it was tight, but the Reds were seconds away from having done enough.
In the reverse fixture at Anfield, it was a different story. Liverpool did win, and comfortably. Just 11 minutes into the game, Dominik Szoboszlai netted the opener and from there the result was never in doubt, even though it took another 52 minutes for Alexis Mac Allister to seal it by changing the scoreline to 2-0.
Arne Slot has always learned from the first game his side has played against a team so far in his short tenure at Liverpool. And in Newcastle, he is set to face a side this weekend that he already has 180 minutes of evidence against.
Newcastle will become the first team that Slot plays having already faced home and away as Liverpool boss. And there are some clear tactical lessons that he can learn.
Firstly, while Wembley will be split 50:50 in terms of Liverpool and Newcastle fans, the atmosphere will be electric. The Magpies’ players will want to put in the performance of their lives — and the Reds will have to match that intensity.
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Having done it in the North East, though, Liverpool knows it is possible. And with superior players in terms of possession and an ability to keep the ball, it has an advantage there.
The news that Anthony Gordon is suspended for being sent off against Brighton in the FA Cup is a big edge for Liverpool too. Trent Alexander-Arnold is not expected to be fit enough for the game and with Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez also sidelined, Jarell Quansah is likely to get the nod.
Quansah played — and struggled — at St James’ Park but Harvey Barnes, who has struggled with injuries since a big-money move from Leicester City, is a completely different prospect. Behind him, Lewis Hall, the first-choice Newcastle left-back, is also set to be missing through injury. In Gordon and Hall, Newcastle has one of the best left sides in the country — but Liverpool won’t be facing that here.
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The one potential area that could be targeted from a Newcastle perspective — right-back — happens to align exactly with the area that it is weakened in the most. Center-back Sven Botman is also missing but losing Gordon and Hall from the left flank is a major blow.
At Anfield, Newcastle was without the big influence of Joelinton, the physical midfielder who can bully opponents. But while he is back for the visit to Wembley, Liverpool has its own physical monster in Szoboszlai. He, Mac Allister and Ryan Gravenberch will need to be at their best on the ball, but if they are, they will prove no match even for the likes of Bruno Guimaraes.
“We have 10 more games left,” Virgil van Dijk said midweek. “We have two big prizes we can still get so we have to give it everything. If we bring the intensity with our fans in Wembley on Sunday then I’m positive.”
Alongside Newcastle being without three key starters, Liverpool has already shown twice this season why it is the big favorite this weekend. Now, it needs to put that into practice once more.
