Last updated & checked: 10/08/2021
Liverpool are the only team to have a 100% winning record in the 2019 Premier League season. Newcastle have struggled under Steve Bruce, and they face a tricky away match at Anfield. Both clubs enjoy passionate support from their fans, and Saturday’s match should provide plenty of fireworks.
Many people might think that this will be a walkover for Liverpool. But Newcastle managed to pick up three points away at Tottenham recently, and they won’t make it easy for Jurgen Klopp’s team.
It’s a match that Liverpool must win in order to stay ahead of Manchester City in the Premier League race. The fight between Mo Salah and Sadio Mane for goals will be fascinating, and Roberto Firmino should be on hand to display more of his magic.
Plus the controversy regarding Michael Owen’s recent book should add plenty of talking points to what is already shaping up to be a classic Premier League encounter.
Liverpool vs Newcastle United Prediction: Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United
Liverpool have scored 12 goals in their four Premier League games. Their attack boasts incredible strikers like Mo Salah and Sadio Mane, and Roberto Firmino is a creative powerhouse. Although the Newcastle defence is relatively solid, it’s hard to imagine them holding out at Anfield.
Only Watford have scored less than Newcastle United’s three goals this season. It’s difficult to imagine either Joelinton or Miguel Almiron breaking through the robust Liverpool defence that boasts UEFA Player of the Year Virgil Van Dijk. As a result, it could be a whitewash for Liverpool over Newcastle on Saturday.
Our recommended tip: Mane scores first
There’s a huge amount of competition amongst Liverpool’s players to score goals. The fight for goals against Burnley even saw Sadio Mane throwing a tantrum due to Mo Salah failing to set him up with a golden chance. Plus we have even seen Roberto Firmino telling Mane off for ‘stealing’ his trademark goal celebration.
As a result, it seems fairly likely that Mane will be on fire on Saturday. The Senegalese star can score from all areas of the pitch, and the amount of attention he received after his meltdown will inspire him to strike early against Newcastle.
Previous matches
It’s little surprise to find that Liverpool have traditionally had the upper hand in these encounters. The last time that these two teams met at Anfield, Liverpool walked away with a 4-0 win thanks to goals from Dejan Lovren, Mo Salah, Xherdan Shaqiri and Fabinho.
However, Newcastle don’t always make it easy for Liverpool. The last game played at St James’ Park saw Liverpool only picking up three points in the 2-3 win thanks to a very late Divock Origi goal. But Newcastle have a terrible record at Anfield, as the Magpies haven’t won here since way back in 1994.
Top 3 Premier League Bookies
Players to watch: Roberto Firmino & Joelinton
Firmino has been in great form this season. The Brazilian star has picked up two important goals and always looks capable of creating something out of nothing for Salah and Mane. Firmino will once again be looking to find spaces in Newcastle’s problem areas and he can be relied upon to deliver quality when it counts.
Newcastle’s Joelinton has followed a similar career path to Firmino. Both players came to the Premier League from eastern Brazil via Hoffenheim, and both are unconventional forwards. In fact, Joelinton and Firmino regularly exchange WhatsApp messages, and it’s going to be interesting to see how things play out between the pair.
Joelinton was Newcastle’s record signing this summer, and he has had a middling start so for. With just one Premier League goal to his name, we can expect Joelinton hoping to defy the odds at Anfield on Saturday.
