After contrasting nights in the Champions League in midweek, it’s back to the Premier League grind for Liverpool and Newcastle United when they meet at Anfield on Saturday night (20:00 GMT).
The Reds knocked off some of their domestic rust with a 6–0 win over Qarabag, booking their place in the last 16 of the competition. The freedom with which they played was in marked contrast to their sluggish recent Premier League efforts.
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Newcastle performed well in their 1–1 draw away at European champions Paris St-Germain. It was not enough for them to progress directly to the last 16, though, meaning a play-off will be required.
Reds striving for Premier League antidote
When Rio Ngumoha struck deep into stoppage time to earn Liverpool a dramatic 3–2 win at Newcastle in the second week of the season, there were no real signs of the subsequent slump the Reds would endure.
Liverpool would go on to win their next three games in the top flight and establish an early lead in the process. However, since a 2–1 loss away at Crystal Palace in matchweek six, the defence of their Premier League title has unravelled.
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Following that defeat, Arne Slot’s side have managed only five wins from 18 games. It is the fewest number of victories recorded by a Liverpool side over the same period since Kenny Dalglish won five of his final 18 matches in charge in 2011–12.
The Reds are also on a five-game winless run in the Premier League after their 3–2 loss to Bournemouth last Saturday. It is the joint third-longest ongoing run without a victory in the division.
Nonetheless, matches against Newcastle have historically been kind to them, with the Reds currently on an 18-match unbeaten run against their opponents from the north-east.
[BBC Sport]
Gordon conundrum continues for Newcastle
A visit to Anfield may not be ideal for Newcastle at this moment in time as a result.
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Not only is their away record woeful in the Premier League this season – two wins from 11 games – the players had to put in a big shift in Paris on Wednesday night. Mental and physical fatigue could be factors as a result.
There will be extra onus on Anthony Gordon going into this one, especially after he was left on the bench in midweek by manager Eddie Howe.
The former Everton player has spoken on numerous occasions about his Liverpool allegiances as a youngster. The Reds showed an interest in signing the England winger in the summer of 2024 too, but a deal didn’t materialise.
Gordon finds himself in a peculiar place in terms of his form. In the Champions League he was one of the best players in the league phase, finishing with six goals and two assists. In the Premier League? It’s been a different story with the forward’s last goal from open play coming on 15 January 2025.
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In his last outing against Liverpool, a fired-up Gordon was sent off for a late challenge on Virgil van Dijk. It was a show of frustration that has epitomised his Premier League form so far this season.
If he or Newcastle are to have any hope of ending their unwanted streaks on Saturday night, his evident passion for this fixture will need to be channelled in the right way.
