OPINION
Newcastle United manager Rafael Benitez is expected to hand attacker Yoshinori Muto a rare start against Liverpool on Saturday.
The Magpies welcome the title-chasing Reds to St James’ Park, and do so with their best player Ayoze Perez a doubt after coming off with a hip problem against Brighton & Hove Albion last time out.
As a result, Benitez may well see starting the Spaniard as an unnecessary risk at this stage of the season, with Muto likely to take his place as a result. Federico Fernandez can also expect to drop out for captain Jamaal Lascelles, who missed last week’s game with illness.
Those will most probably be the only two changes Benitez makes from the team that drew at the AMEX, as the former Liverpool boss looks to strike a blow to his old team’s title hopes.
It has now been several weeks since goalkeeper Martin Dubravka’s last high profile mistake, meaning that he will surely keep his place between the sticks once again here.
The two wing backs are pretty well established at this point, with Javier Manquillo having established himself ahead of DeAndre Yedlin recently. Both he and Matt Ritchie on the opposite flank can expect to start against Jurgen Klopp’s side.
At centre back, Lascelles will likely replace Fernandez, as mentioned. Meanwhile, Fabian Schar and Paul Dummett are almost certain to keep their places alongside him.
Jonjo Shelvey performed well alongside Isaac Hayden in central midfield against the Seagulls, and both players are dead ringers to start once again here.
Up top, Muto is sure to get a rare chance ahead of Perez – particularly after Kenedy disappointed hugely off the bench last time out. Christian Atsu and Salomon Rondon can also expect to feature from the start on Saturday.
