Soccer
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 29/10
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Anfield plays host to a Saturday‑night Premier League showdown between Liverpool and Newcastle United, with both clubs desperate to revive their faltering bids for a top‑four finish. The Reds remain without a league win in 2026, while Newcastle arrive still feeling the impact of Bruno Guimarães’ absence in last weekend’s loss to Aston Villa.
Liverpool
Liverpool’s early‑season reputation for snatching late victories has brutally reversed. Their 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth last weekend was another painful example, as the Reds conceded a stoppage‑time winner for the third time in this Premier League campaign—more than in any previous season.
Having fought back from 2-0 down only to fall to Amine Adli’s injury‑time strike, Liverpool saw their 13‑match unbeaten run collapse, extending their winless league streak to five matches and dropping them to sixth place. Not since 1954 have the Reds opened a calendar year with six straight league games without a win—the same season they suffered their last relegation.
However, midweek brought a welcome release of pressure. Liverpool dismantled Qarabag 6-0 to cruise into the Champions League last 16, extending their home unbeaten run in all competitions to seven games and reminding supporters what this team is capable of at their best.
Team News
In yet another defensive setback, Jeremie Frimpong limped off after four minutes against Qarabag with a suspected hamstring injury and is ruled out for Saturday. He may be one of up to five defensive absentees: Giovanni Leoni (ACL) and Conor Bradley (knee) are out, Alexander Isak remains sidelined, and both Ibrahima Konaté (personal) and Joe Gomez (head) are unlikely to return in time.
If Curtis Jones fails to recover from illness, Arne Slot may be forced to hand Calvin Ramsay his first Premier League start of the season or redeploy Dominik Szoboszlai at right‑back, with Wataru Endo stepping into midfield.
Newcastle
Newcastle’s situation away from home could not be more different. Last weekend’s defeat to Aston Villa highlighted how crucial Guimarães is to Eddie Howe’s side. Before that fixture, the Magpies had failed to win any of the eight Premier League matches he had not started since 2022. That streak reached nine as goals from Emiliano Buendía and Ollie Watkins condemned Newcastle to another damaging defeat.
The Magpies are now winless and goalless in their last two Premier League games, sitting ninth as one of four clubs locked on 33 points, five behind fourth‑placed Manchester United.
There was encouragement in midweek, though, as Newcastle secured a valuable 1-1 draw away to Champions League holders PSG, booking a place in the knockout round playoffs. That result also extended their unbeaten run away from home in all competitions to three games.
However, their season‑long travel woes persist: Newcastle have managed just three away wins across all competitions, and their 3-2 defeat to Liverpool in August—decided by Rio Ngumoha—marked an extraordinary 18th straight Premier League meeting without beating the champions. At Anfield, the drought is even starker: Newcastle have failed to win in 29 consecutive league visits.
Team News
Guimarães returned to the matchday squad in Paris after recovering from an ankle issue, although he remained an unused substitute. Joelinton is unavailable for several weeks with a groin injury, joining Tino Livramento (thigh), Emil Krafth (knee) and Fabian Schär (ankle) on the sidelines.
Jacob Murphy returned to the bench in midweek following a hamstring issue, but Howe is expected to favour the returning Harvey Barnes and Anthony Gordon in the wide roles—both of whom have past ties to Liverpool.
Head‑to‑Head
Liverpool have dominated this fixture for well over a decade. The Reds are unbeaten in 18 straight league games against Newcastle and have not lost at home to the Magpies in 29 Premier League meetings. Newcastle’s last victory at Anfield came all the way back in 1994. Earlier this season, Liverpool edged a dramatic 3-2 win at St James’ Park, continuing their long‑standing upper hand.
Conclusion
Eddie Howe faces a tactical dilemma: stick with the three‑man defence that held firm in Paris, or adopt a more aggressive setup to exploit Liverpool’s injury‑ravaged back line.
Regardless of the approach, Newcastle’s ongoing away struggles make a famous victory unlikely. Yet Liverpool’s goalscoring slump—their lowest Premier League goals‑per‑game return since 2011‑12—suggests the wait for their first league win of 2026 may not end easily.
A tense and competitive encounter seems inevitable.
Verdict: Draw
Best odds: 29/10
Bookmaker: ZetBet
Read MoreVeselin Trajkovic