Liverpool: This is the back four we want against Newcastle

By David Gate | Mar 1, 2018

NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE, ENGLAND - OCTOBER 01: Christian Atsu of Newcastle United and Joe Gomez of Liverpool battle for possession during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St. James Park on October 1, 2017 in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. (Photo by Ian MacNicol/Getty Images) /

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Dejan Lovren Liverpool back four Newcastle

Solly March of Brighton and Hove Albion is challenged by Dejan Lovren. (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images) /

Center Back: Dejan Lovren

If Klopp maintains his current trend then we can expect to see Dejan Lovren replace Joel Matip this weekend. There is clearly no definite ‘number 2’ center back at Anfield at present with both these players coming in-an-out of the side every week.

Much will depend on what the manager anticipates of the Newcastle side. In games against Manchester City, Rafa Benitez moved away from his preferred front pairing of Dwight Gayle and Ayoze Pérez to play Joselu up front on his own.

That was his tactic when Liverpool went to Newcastle in October. The Spanish striker took advantage of the lack of communication between Matip and Lovren to gain Newcastle’s equalizer.

If Joselu does indeed start up front on his own then Lovren will certainly be the best fit to partner van Dijk. The Croatian is better in the air and will be more of a help at set pieces which is Newcastle’s best chance of scoring against the Reds this weekend.

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