After contrasting nights within the Champions League in midweek, it is again to the Premier League grind for Liverpool and Newcastle United after they meet at Anfield on Saturday evening (20:00 GMT).
The Reds knocked off a few of their home rust with a 6–0 win over Qarabag, reserving their place within the final 16 of the competitors. The liberty with which they performed was in marked distinction to their sluggish latest Premier League efforts.
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Newcastle carried out nicely of their 1–1 draw away at European champions Paris St-Germain. It was not sufficient for them to progress on to the final 16, although, that means a play-off shall be required.
Reds striving for Premier League antidote
When Rio Ngumoha struck deep into stoppage time to earn Liverpool a dramatic 3–2 win at Newcastle within the second week of the season, there have been no actual indicators of the following droop the Reds would endure.
Liverpool would go on to win their subsequent three video games within the high flight and set up an early lead within the course of. Nevertheless, since a 2–1 loss away at Crystal Palace in matchweek six, the defence of their Premier League title has unravelled.
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Following that defeat, Arne Slot’s aspect have managed solely 5 wins from 18 video games. It’s the fewest variety of victories recorded by a Liverpool aspect over the identical interval since Kenny Dalglish received 5 of his last 18 matches in cost in 2011–12.
The Reds are additionally on a five-game winless run within the Premier League after their 3–2 loss to Bournemouth final Saturday. It’s the joint third-longest ongoing run with no victory within the division.
Nonetheless, matches in opposition to Newcastle have traditionally been type to them, with the Reds at the moment on an 18-match unbeaten run in opposition to their opponents from the north-east.
[BBC Sport]
Gordon conundrum continues for Newcastle
A go to to Anfield might not be ultimate for Newcastle at this second in time because of this.
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Not solely is their away document woeful within the Premier League this season – two wins from 11 video games – the gamers needed to put in an enormous shift in Paris on Wednesday evening. Psychological and bodily fatigue may very well be components because of this.
There shall be additional onus on Anthony Gordon going into this one, particularly after he was left on the bench in midweek by supervisor Eddie Howe.
The previous Everton participant has spoken on quite a few events about his Liverpool allegiances as a teenager. The Reds confirmed an curiosity in signing the England winger in the summertime of 2024 too, however a deal did not materialise.
Gordon finds himself in a peculiar place when it comes to his kind. Within the Champions League he was the most effective gamers within the league section, ending with six targets and two assists. Within the Premier League? It has been a special story with the ahead’s final aim from open play approaching 15 January 2025.
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In his final outing in opposition to Liverpool, a fired-up Gordon was despatched off for a late problem on Virgil van Dijk. It was a present of frustration that has epitomised his Premier League kind to date this season.
If he or Newcastle are to have any hope of ending their undesirable streaks on Saturday evening, his evident ardour for this fixture will have to be channelled in the proper method.