As the temperatures drop the fixtures thicken, the busiest time of the football year is well under way. Liverpool travel to St James’ Park to face Newcastle United on Wednesday evening 19:30.

Newcastle have struggled to regain their European form from 2 seasons ago. Often plagued by injuries and battling with PSR to recruit new talent. Fluctuating in form with 5 wins, 4 draws and 4 loses the Magpies sit 11th in the table. Having already beaten Arsenal and drew to Man City at St James’ this season, it’s no easy place to go. However, a 2-0 defeat at home to West Ham, followed by a 1-1 draw away to Crystal Palace sees them come into this on searching for a win.

The hosts have only conceded 14 goals so far in the league. Nick Pope‘s played a huge part, Newcastle are 5th for saves per 90 with 3.7 tied with Bournemouth. In-front of goal, Newcastle have often been clinical but lacking invention having only created 25 big chances since the start of the campaign. In comparison Liverpool have created 53.

Newcastle are winless in their last 15 attempts against Liverpool. Last seasons match was an all time classic. Anthony Gordon opened the scoring, before Virgil van Dijk was shown a straight red card. Liverpool trailed for 56 minutes before substitute Darwin Nunez scored a dramatic brace reaching climax in the 93rd minute to steal all 3 points from the Geordies.

Arne Slot confirmed Alison Becker won’t return until the end of December. The fast turn-around suggests that Federico Chiesa and Diogo Jota will still be unavailable. Kostas Tsimikas was seen on crutches on Sunday, however there is still uncertainty of the severity of his injury. Ibou Konate and Conor Bradley are out for the foreseeable.

Eddie Howe’s biggest injury concern is his star-man Alexander Isak who suffered a contact injury against Crystal Palace on Saturday. The Swede has declared himself fit, however Eddie Howe confirmed he “hadn’t seen him in training yet”, suggesting that the strikers decision isn’t final. Sven Botman, Jamal Lascelles and Emil Kraft are all long term absentees.

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