Predicted Newcastle lineup to face Liverpool: Howe makes Hall decision, Almiron starts
Newcastle United are back at St James’ Park this weekend, as Eddie Howe’s side look to bounce back from their defeat to Manchester City.
It is another very tough game for the Magpies, with Liverpool unbeaten in their opening two Premier League games. They will start the day above Newcastle in the league.
It will certainly be a feisty affair on Sunday. There was a bit of needle between the two clubs last season, particularly in the game at Anfield.
Since then, Jurgen Klopp has aimed a few jibes at the Magpies, much to the anger of the Toon Army.
But the talking will be done on the pitch this weekend, and this is the Newcastle XI we expect Howe to pick against Liverpool
Redemption for Nick Pope
Last time Newcastle played Liverpool, Nick Pope had a nightmare.
He was sent off early in the game for a handball outside the box, which meant he missed the Carabao Cup final one week later.
The Toon goalkeeper will be keen to get some sort of redemption, as he goes in search of his first clean sheet of the new season.
The usual suspects will be in front of him in defence, with Howe likely to opt against giving Lewis Hall his Newcastle debut.
No Joelinton against Liverpool
Newcastle’s big injury concern going into the game is Joelinton. The 27-year-old was forced off against Manchester City and was not spotted in training during the week.
Elliot Anderson deserves the chance to start if Joelinton is unavailable, but we believe that Howe will go with the more tried and tested Sean Longstaff.
Bringing in the local lad would see Sandro Tonali switch sides, with the Italy international operating to the left of Bruno Guimaraes rather than the right.
Miguel Almiron starts for Newcastle
Miguel Almiron received a lot of criticism for his performance against Manchester City, but will likely get another chance to impress on Sunday.
The alternatives are starting Jacob Murphy, who has not been seen in training, or bringing in Harvey Barnes for his first start and deploying Anthony Gordon on the right.
However, we expect Miggy to keep his place in the side. While he was wasteful against Man City, he was at least getting into dangerous positions.
On another day he would have been much more deadly in the final third, and let’s hope he has one of those days on Sunday against Liverpool.
Predicted XI vs Liverpool: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Burn; Longstaff, Bruno, Tonali; Almiron, Isak, Gordon.