Liverpool play host to a legend of their own lore as Rafael Benitez returns to Anfield as the manager of a Newcastle side that is beginning to gain some ground in the relegation battle.
Jurgen Klopp’s men will try to maintain their momentum as they hope to do enough to create the basis for a really late surge up the table. Rafa Benitez will look to spoil Liverpool’s party for a change and look to target all three points against his old side.
Kickoff and Live Telecast
Channel: Star Sports 1
Date and Time: 23rd April 2016, 7:30 P.M. IST
Venue: Anfield, Liverpool
Live Stream: http://www.starsports.com/football/leagues/barclays-english-premier-league-100008/index.htmlBetting Odds: Liverpool: 4/7; Draw: 7/2; Newcastle: 5/1 via Bet365
Team News
Liverpool
Liverpool continue to be without their preferred midfield pair of Jordan Henderson and Emre Can and now preferred striker Divock Origi is also out for the season after sustaining an ankle injury at Everton on Wedesday. Martin Skrtel has also been ruled out for this game as well as he remains sidelined with injury. Christian Benteke misses out with injury but is close to a return.
Newcastle United
Newcastle come into the game with a huge list of injuries that involves almost 9 players of whom at least 6 would have been competing for a spot in the starting lineup. However, Newcastle have no fresh injuries from the last game and could field the same side that snatched a much deserved point against Manchester City.
Probable Lineups
Liverpool(4-2-3-1): Ward; Randall, Lucas, Toure, Smith; Stewart, Allen; Ibe, Firmino, Ojo; Sturridge
Newcastle United (4-2-3-1): Darlow; Anita, Lascelles, Mbemba, Dummett; Tiote, Colback; Townsend, Sissoko, Perez; Cisse
Form
Liverpool
Liverpool have not lost a single game in their last five matches across all competitions. The Reds raised their momentum a little further after running out emphatic 4-0 winners at Anfield and will hope to continue their form at home against Newcastle. The team has scored 4 goals in each of their last 3 home games which should leave Newcastle worried about their fate at Anfield.
Last 5 Matches: D-W-W-W-W (Last Match: Liverpool 4-0 Everton)
Newcastle United
Newcastle have only just started their season under manager Rafa Benitez. After a few losses to begin with, the Spaniard seems to have steadied the boat a little with a win and a draw against Swansea and Manchester City respectively in their last two games. However, Newcastle’s atrocious record of only two away win all season won’t be a stat that they would want to look to going into the clash.
Last 5 Matches: D-L-L-W-D ( Last match: Newcastle United 1-1 Manchester City)
Key Stats:
- Liverpool have scored 4 goals each in their last 3 home games in all competitions.
- Liverpool have won 9 of their last 10 matches against Newcastle in all competitions.
- Newcastle have been losing at half time and full time in 5 of their last 6 away games.
- Newcastle have lost their last 9 away games.
Key Battles:
Daniel Sturridge vs Chancel Mbemba
Daniel Sturridge will be slightly relieved that he has a free run ahead of him as the preferred striker of the squad is out for the rest of the season. That is not to suggest he is celebrating Divock Origi’s unfortunate injury as the saying goes “what is food for one is poison for another”.
Daniel Sturridge has had a tough season with injuries and has just about managed to turn things around now. Having completed 50 goals as a Liverpool player, Sturridge has scored an eye-opening 7 goals in 8 starts and 3 substitute appearances this whole season in the Barclay’s Premier League.
Up against Chancel Mbemba on the evening, the Englishman will look to add to that tally at the expense of the Newcastle defender who has had some success of late in the heart of the Newcastle defense.
Sheyi Ojo vs Vurnon Anita
Sheyi Ojo has most Liverpool fans on their feet this season with exhilarating displays when has been offered the odd chance to impress by Jurgen Klopp. Ojo seems set to have a big future in this Liverpool team as he plays with the verve and courage of a young Raheem Sterling in a Liverpool Jersey.
The only thing is Ojo is taller, stronger and some would argue more tactically astute than Sterling was when he debuted for the Liverpool side. The 18-year-old defender is one of the first choices for Jurgen Klopp should he choose to rotate the pack and on the night he will be asked to have a go at Vurnon Anita.
Vurnon Anita hasn’t really had the best of seasons as most of his Newcastle team mates will agree to the same for themselves. He looks to impress Rafa Benitez as Newcastle scrap for safety as the Premier League comes to an end. On this night, he really needs to keep Ojo quiet if Newcastle are to have a chance.
Prediction
Rafa Benitez does know how to get a result under pressure but Jurgen Klopp’s rotated squad may be fresher and more equipped to dispatch this Newcastle side. It doesn’t seem likely that Liverpool will drop points on the night unless Newcastle put in an inspired performance.
Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United
