COMMENT
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is expected to welcome summer signing Federico Fernandez back into the starting line up against Liverpool on Boxing Day.
The Argentine is back fit once again and was on the bench against Fulham on Saturday and with just days between fixtures, Fabian Schar will likely make way for him against the Reds.
The Spaniard must carefully consider how many changes to make to his team in the wake of the disappointing draw with the Cottagers.
With midfielder Ki Sung-yueng an enforced absence through Asian Cup duty, Jonjo Shelvey will almost definitely replace him in the middle of the park leaving it at just two changes for the Magpies
Martin Dubravka kept another clean sheet on Saturday and has been exceptional this season. He can certainly expect to keep his place between the sticks. Meanwhile Paul Dummett will likely revert back to his left back role after being part of a three man central defensive unit against Claudio Ranieri’s team.
Javier Manquillo has impressed in recent weeks and will likely continue at right back ahead of DeAndre Yedlin, while Jamaal Lascelles also looks set to keep his place at centre back. Fernandez, as mentioned, will likely come in for Schar.
Christian Atsu, like Manquillo, has confounded his critics with some strong performances of late, and it’s hard to see Benitez dropping him now. Matt Ritchie and Mohamed Diame, meanwhile, will surely continue in midfield while Shelvey looks certain to replace Ki.
Ayoze Perez and Salomon Rondon have separated themselves as Benitez’s preferred strike partnership, and both men will surely remain in place up top on Wednesday.
