Team news: United unchanged for Liverpool clash
Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe has named an unchanged starting XI for the third successive game ahead of Sunday’s visit of Liverpool (kick-off 4.30pm BST).
The Magpies target a first victory against Jürgen Klopp’s side since December 2015 and Howe has opted for the same eleven which started both fixtures against Aston Villa and Manchester City.
Pope, who was sent off in last season’s 2-0 defeat against Liverpool at St. James’ Park, begins in-between the sticks behind a four-man defense containing Centre-back pair Fabian Schär and Sven Botman while Kieran Trippier and Dan Burn occupy the respective flanks.
Sandro Tonali, who scored within six minutes of his Premier League debut in a 5-1 triumph against Aston Villa, will play in the middle of the park alongside Brazilian duo Bruno Guimarães and Joelinton.
Liverpool-born forward Anthony Gordon, who began his playing career at Merseyside rivals Everton, and Miguel Almirón will aim to provide attacking support for Alexander Isak, who scored on his Magpies debut against the Reds at Anfield 12 months ago.
Callum Wilson and Harvey Barnes, who both scored from the substitutes’ bench against Villa, will both aim to repeat a similar feat against the Reds this afternoon while Jacob Murphy, who missed last weekend’s trip to the Etihad Stadium following the birth of his first child, returns to the squad in place of Matt Ritchie.
Tino Livramento, who made his Magpies bow against City last weekend, will be targeting a home debut today while Sean Longstaff, Elliot Anderson, Jamaal Lascelles and Matt Targett complete the list of substitutes selected by Howe.
Newcastle United: Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier (c), Fabian Schär, Sven Botman, Dan Burn, Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali, Joelinton, Miguel Almirón, Anthony Gordon, Alexander Isak.
Substitutes: Martin Dúbravka, Tino Livramento, Jamaal Lascelles, Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff,, Elliot Anderson, Jacob Murphy, Harvey Barnes, Callum Wilson.