Liverpool v Newcastle predictions: Reds should master Magpies

Free football tips, best bets and analysis for Liverpool v Newcastle United in the Premier League on Wednesday.

Where to watch

BT Sport 1, 8pm Wednesday

Best bet

Liverpool & under 3.5 goals
1pt 7-5 bet365

Team news

Liverpool
Darwin Nunez completes a three-match ban and Joel Matip, Diogo Jota, Naby Keita, Ibrahima Konate, Thiago, Caoimhim Kelleher and Calvin Ramsey are sidelined. Harvey Elliott should be available despite his half-time withdrawal at the weekend.

Newcastle
Alexander Isak is awaiting a work permit and Bruno Guimaraes (thigh) and Allan Saint-Maximin (hamstring) are major doubts. Emil Krafth (knee), Callum Wilson and Jonjo Shelvey (both thigh) miss out.

Match preview

Liverpool responded to their early-season struggles with a thumping 9-0 victory at home to Bournemouth and they can add another three points with a more sober, lower-scoring success over Newcastle.

Jurgen Klopp's team must have felt elated and relieved after the weekend win over the Cherries, which was enough to trigger the dismissal of Bournemouth manager Scott Parker.

Championships are not decided in August but Liverpool had failed to justify favouritism in each of their opening three games and, despite demolishing Bournemouth, they finished the weekend seven points adrift of Arsenal and five behind Manchester City.

Liverpool have been well versed at putting lengthy winning runs together in recent seasons, and the impressive manner of Saturday's success will only carry greater significance if it marks the start of another surge.

Klopp will have prepared his players for a tougher contest against Newcastle, who were immensely strong in the second half of last season – collecting 37 points from their last 18 games – and are yet to taste defeat in 2022-23.

The Magpies' 3-3 draw at home to Manchester City was as entertaining as anything seen among the first four rounds of fixtures and supporter expectations have been raised further by the signing of striker Alexander Isak from Real Sociedad.

Isak's involvement against Liverpool depends on a work permit being received within 75 minutes of the 8pm kick-off, but Newcastle are sure to be weaker in attack if dynamic forward Allan Saint-Maximin fails to overcome a hamstring strain.

Saint-Maximin and Callum Wilson, who faces weeks of recovery from a thigh strain, were key figures in the superb performance against City, and their absences at Anfield would probably force Eddie Howe to adopt more cautious tactics.

Newcastle are likely to lack the offensive pace and energy to pursue a high press and may have to employ a more conservative approach.

They defended diligently on numerous occasions last season and were solid in this month's gritty 0-0 draw at Brighton.

However, while Brighton lacked the offensive quality to capitalise on their dominance of possession and territory, Liverpool should come up with enough magic moments to secure maximum points.

The whole Liverpool squad should be feeling more confident, but no individual will have benefited more from the weekend than Roberto Firmino, who delivered two goals and three assists.

The trio of Mohamed Salah, Firmino and Luiz Diaz will have to work harder for sights of goal against Newcastle, but a workmanlike Reds victory would be a satisfying enough outcome for Klopp, who will be anxious to avoid further damage to his team's title hopes.

Key stat

Ten of Newcastle's last 12 Premier League away games have featured fewer than four goals.

Inside info

Liverpool

Penalty taker Mohamed Salah
Assist ace Trent Alexander-Arnold
Set-piece aerial threat Virgil Van Dijk
Card magnet Fabinho

Newcastle

Penalty taker Chris Wood
Assist ace Kieran Trippier
Set-piece aerial threat Chris Wood
Card magnet Joelinton

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