Newcastle United face Liverpool in their biggest fixture for over 60 years this afternoon as they battle it out for the Carabao Cup in the final at Wembley Stadium.
The Magpies return to the capital for the second time this week to seal their silverware fate in a challenging clash with Premier League leaders Liverpool this afternoon.
Eddie Howe will be hoping that the away win over West Ham United on Monday night will set the tone for success in their successive clash in London in six days, in their quest to bring a trophy back to Tyneside for the first time in over half a century.
Liverpool have been in incredible form already this season, losing just one league game so far and are currently 12 points clear at the top of the table; however, Howe will be hoping to capitalise on the Reds’ recent Champions League knockout earlier this week.
Trent Alexander-Arnold will not be available for selection this afternoon after suffering an injury issue in the 120-minute clash with Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday night, and there will be hope that the game that went to penalties at Anfield would have caused some fatigue in the squad.
In terms of Newcastle’s injuries, they are not without their own first-team omissions, with Lewis Hall set to be out for the rest of the season due to a foot injury and Dutch defender Sven Botman out for eight weeks with a knee injury.
Jamaal Lascelles also remains unavailable for selection as he continues his recovery, while Anthony Gordon is suspended for the clash following a three-match ban earned in the FA Cup defeat to Brighton and Hove Albion – serving his second of three.
How could Newcastle line-up against Liverpool?
Nothing but Newcastle predicts that Eddie Howe will make no changes to the starting eleven he led to a victory at the London Stadium earlier this week, maintaining his 4-3-3 formation.
Newcastle number one Nick Pope is expected to keep his place in goal over second choice Martin Dubravka, while Tino Livramento continues to play in a makeshift role on the left side in Lewis Hall’s absence.
Kieran Trippier’s experience will be relied upon in the right-back role today, while first-time England international Dan Burn will complete the centre-back partnership alongside Fabian Schar.
In the centre of the pitch, Howe is expected to deploy his strongest midfield selection with Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton all retaining their spots in the midfield three.
There has been speculation surrounding the potential of Joelinton going on the left wing for the clash with Liverpool, however, we predict that Harvey Barnes will keep his spot on the left flank, alongside star striker Alexander Isak and right winger Jacob Murphy.
With that being said, it will be a HUGE afternoon for the squad and the supporters with the opportunity to break Newcastle’s long-standing trophy drought, can dreams come true at Wembley?
