Newcastle United host Liverpool this weekend with Eddie Howe’s magpies looking to knock Jurgen Klopp’s Reds out of the race for UEFA Champions League qualification.
Liverpool will be pleased with their Merseyside Derby victory, especially with the performances of their attacking players. Darwin Nunez and Mohammed Salah combined perfectly to score the opener, while new signing Cody Gakpo finally opened his account, scoring his first goal in a Liverpool shirt. The Reds cannot get complacent, it is a sign of progress, but this was only their first Premier League victory in 2023.
Newcastle may have dropped points in their previous fixture against Bournemouth, but Eddie Howe’s side will still be the favourites going into this weekend. Newcastle have the best defensive record in the Premier League this season, having conceded just 13 goals in 23 games and tasting defeat only once, with the loss coming at Anfield earlier in the campaign when Fabio Carvalho scored Liverpool’s winner in the 97th minute.
Eddie Howe has proven he is one of the best coaches in the Premier League, developing and elevating the level of the players in his squad. Examples of his success include the evolution of former striker Joelinton into a star midfielder and the unlocking of Miguel Almiron’s goalscoring ability.
Jurgen Klopp and Eddie Howe have met on 13 different occasions, with Klopp dominating the results, beating Howe 11 times. Howe has avoided defeat on two occasions, managing one draw and one victory over Klopp.
This is the Newcastle United’s manager best opportunity to beat Klopp and Liverpool, with the Reds struggling to break their hangover from the Quadruple chase of last season.
Will Eddie Howe end Liverpool’s top four chase? Or will Jurgen Klopp’s side secure the double over Newcastle United and end in the top four?
What is it about @LFC vs @NUFC and seven-goal thrillers?@Robbie9Fowler saved the day at Anfield in 1997 #PLMoment pic.twitter.com/5mR3t9ZfaG
— Premier League (@premierleague) December 20, 2017
Jurgen Klopp believes Eddie Howe has made #NUFC a more 'possession-based' and 'offensive' team pic.twitter.com/eKZ09EwT2a
— The Chronicle (@ChronicleNUFC) December 16, 2021