Eddie Howe’s side travel to Merseyside to take on Liverpool at Anfield tonight
08:00, 31 Jan 2026Updated 08:54, 31 Jan 2026
Newcastle United’s Bruno Guimaraes and Kieran Trippier could return to the side today
Newcastle United head coact Eddie Howe has something of a stick or twist dilemma for tonight’s match against Liverpool at Anfield. The Magpies head coach saw his side perform well with a back five – or three depending on how you see it – in the 1-1 draw with PSG on Wednesday night.
Howe favours the 4-3-3 set-up, but could be tempted to stick with the formation this evening. Brruno Guimaraes is still a doubt as he recovers from an ankle injury but will be part of the squad, although Tino Livramento, Fabian Schar and Joelinton are out.
The Newcastle boss has plenty of options elsewhere, particularly up front, where he can change his entire front three if he chooses, with Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Yoane Wissa pressing for a recall.
Then there’s the right-back debate, with Lewis Miley and Kieran Trippier fit to start – much could depend on Bruno’s fitness for that one. With that in mind, here are the Newcastle United starting XIs our writers would field tonight.
FOLLOW ON FACEBOOK! Keep up with all the Newcastle United latest via the Chronicle’s dedicated Facebook page
Lee Ryder
This game is a six-pointer and arguably as important as any of the forthcoming domestic cup assignments if Newcastle are to get back into the Champions League via the the English top-flight.
Liverpool would be six points ahead of United and the Magpies can’t afford not to stay in touch. I suspect that Bruno was rested in Paris in anticipation of this clash and he will be a key player.
If he is available to play an hour I’d go with that. But other than that I’d stick with the tried and tested but retain an option from the bench. Anthony Gordon should relish this fixture and it is a chance for Anthony Elanga to show what he can do.
Yoane Wissa offers more of an attacking threat than Nick Woltemade right now so I’d go with the DR Congo striker in front of the Kop. Lewis Miley will bring energy to the midfield and gets the nod ahead of Joe Willock, although Willock has popped up with an Anfield goal before so maybe he is another option from the bench too.
It’s a 4-3-3 which means Dan Burn back on the bench.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Miley, Gordon, Elanga, Wissa.
Lee Ryder’s starting XI vs Liverpool
Sean McCormick
If there are any doubts at all about Bruno Guimaraes’ ability to start at Anfield then he should not be risked ahead of some hugely important games across all four competitions.
The back five worked a treat away from home on Wednesday against PSG and against the big teams that is perhaps the system to stick with on the road.
With that in mind, I would keep the back five and the midfield pairing the same but freshening up the front three to ensure they are fresh to try and exploit the spaces behind Liverpool’s backline.
My NUFC XI: Pope; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Ramsey; Barnes, Gordon, Wissa
Ross Gregory
It all depends on Bruno, doesn’t it? If he’s fit, he starts but I think another game on the sidelines wouldn’t be the worst thing for him. Either way, I’d stick with the same formation used against PSG and go with three centre halves.
If Bruno misses out, I’d recall Kieran Trippier to the right wing-back role and move Lewis Miley into midfield. It made sense not to start Trippier in Parc des Princes as he’s not got the legs to get up and down but at Anfield I’d ask him to just sit in.
It would be harsh to drop either of Jacob Ramsey or Joe Willock after their performances in Paris but the team needs fresh legs. It was a gruelling effort on Wednesday. Anthony Gordon, Harvey Barnes and Yoane Wissa were all late subs in that game so should be raring to start tonight.
My NUFC XI: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall; Tonali, Miley; Gordon, Barnes, Wissa
Stuart Jamieson
It may not be Eddie Howe’s prefered formation but, on the evidence of Wednsday night, the 5-2-3 may just be the way forward, for the time being at least. It would be a surprse to see Bruno Guimaraes sit out a third game, so I’m keeping Lewis Miley at right wingback for now.
Anthony Elanga deserves another crack, particularly at a potentially vulnerable Milos Kerkez, while Anthony Gordon has to test Liverpool’s exposed right-hand side. I thought Nick Woltemade looked much better in Paris, but I want Yoane Wissa in to test the Liverpool central defence with his movement.
My NUFC XI: Pope, Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Elanga, Gordon, Wissa
Pick your starting XI
Now it’s your turn. Who should start for Newcastle tonight, and in what formation?