This is our Liverpool lineup for the Newcastle clash.
Jurgen Klopp will want to put things right after picking up the solitary point against West Brom. Newcastle has picked up more points than the Baggies, but their manager Steve Bruce is under pressure.
Once the Geordies were the Entertainers, now they’re more likely to put you to sleep than raise your pulse. Bruce sets his team up to limit the damage big sides can do against them – just look at that formation against Man City for evidence.
Thus, they are unlikely to pose much of a threat moving forward. This is good because Klopp will be forced to field a back four that includes the raw, 19-year-old Rhys Williams at centre-back after Joel Matip limped out of the contest on Sunday.
Newcastle does have some talent in attack, but they appear unable to get the best out of them. Callum Wilson is a pure poacher and Fabinho will have to watch the former Bournemouth man carefully, but apart from that, the Magpies will have little moving forward.
Liverpool could welcome Thiago to the first team for the first time since the Merseyside derby, while Xherdan Shaqiri made the substitutes bench against West Brom and will be keen to take to the field once more.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain is also fit again. Could we see him in the starting XI for the first time this season? His little cameo brought mixed reviews on Sunday, but when Oxlade-Chamberlain is on form this man can provide something special to the Liverpool midfield.
In the forward line, we don’t expect to see too many changes. Klopp loves the front three of Sadio Mane, Roberto Firmino, and Mohamed Salah and won’t deviate from that too much.
One man that will definitely be in the side is Alisson. So let’s start our predicted Liverpool lineup with the beautiful Brazilian goalkeeper.
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Ali will need to be watchful of Wilson’s penalty area prowess. He’s a fine poacher and knows where his areas are. Apart from that, the Brazilian really shouldn’t have too many issues on Wednesday night.