Newcastle United host Liverpool in what is shaping up as a critical fixture for two teams on the upward curve. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 11:45pm (AEDT).
After a terrible start to the season, Newcastle have accumulated seven of the last nine possible points in the Premier League. Yet their crowning achievement to date may well be their latest, as they beat Manchester City on enemy territory during the midweek League Cup tie.
After what seems like endless discontent in the north-east, smiles are beginning to reemerge at Newcastle United. Yet they don’t ever seem to last.
It is too premature to rouse expectations of a return to the glory days for Newcastle United – the Mike Ashley era guarantees that expectations amongst the Toon faithful be minimal. Between a side that can play well enough to win at the Etihad to one that has only amassed five points from four home games this season, recent positives count for little if you’re Newcastle.
Having seen off City midweek with a weakened lineup, manager Alan Pardew will likely revert to his favoured combinations that include goalkeeper Tim Krul, playmaker Remy Cabella and forward Moussa Sissoko. Pardew with be without midfield enforcer Cheikh Tiote, while striker Papiss Cisse remains in doubt.
Liverpool cannot afford to get too heartened by recent events, despite the midweek comeback waged against Swansea City. Mario Balotelli got his goal, yet doubts still linger about the Italian’s suitability to Brendan Rodgers’ style of play.
Of greater influence was his compatriot Fabio Borini, who has been at the outer at Anfield since his refusal to leave the club during the summer transfer window. Borini’s performance against the Swans may force Rodgers to revise his plans in favour of him, possibly in coordination with Balotelli, who appears more comfortable having an accomplice as opposed to working in isolation up front.
Steven Gerrard and Raheem Sterling will be returned to the starting 11 following their midweek absences, yet the critical player for Liverpool’s attacking fluency remains the enigmatic Philippe Coutinho. After a bright start to his Liverpool career two seasons ago, the Brazilian’s form this season has been patchy at best.
Combined with the departure of Luis Suarez and the prolonged absence of Daniel Sturridge – Liverpool have lost the attacking impetus that drove them so close to a Premier League title last season.
This fixture promises goals and usually delivers. The two sides played an entertaining 2-all draw at St James’ Park last October, while Liverpool’s 2-1 win at Anfield on the final day last season was scant consolation for a Premier League title lost.
With both teams inclined to feel good about themselves following their most recent exploits, we can look forward to an entertaining clash – one in which determining a result is nigh on impossible. A draw is the pragmatist’s prediction.
eric
Guest
I think most of the players are not good enough to play for liver pool.
Radelaide
Guest
He's the anti Koeman
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
I'm not sure if it's Rodgers or the transfer committee that is responsible for this. The decision to buy Lovren and sell Agger was curious. But of greater suspicion is why Liverpool did not treat the issue of a second goalkeeper more seriously. Talk of Valdes' not coming in due to salary reasons is just bizarre. Losing Suarez was always going to mean less goals scored. I would have hoped the tactics would then shift to a better defence to compensate. Sadly, it hasn't.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool Newcastle's next assignment is at the Hawthorns as they play West Brom next weekend. That is a fixture that has a fifth straight win a plausible option. For Liverpool, you cannot underestimate just how embarassing it could get. 1-0 at St James' is one thing, but now their sights turn to the Champions League, as they travel to the Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday morning to face Real Madrid. Then after that, it's only the smallish matter of Chelsea visiting Anfield next Saturday night. Pressure is mounting on Brendan Rodgers, and by this time next weekend, the axe may truly be on the verge of falling. I'll bring both those Liverpool games. But here at St James' Park, it's all about Newcastle United's fourth straight victory. The final score here was Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
FULLTIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool The goal came from, yes, you guessed it, a Liverpool defensive folly, and given Liverpool's travails in front of goal, which is diametrically contrasted to their fortunes last season, it is no surprise they walk away from St James' Park with nothing. Liverpool look shorn of inspiration and bereft of ideas. Mario Balotelli worked hard, but the problem extends further beyond the Italian. The inability of Steven Gerrard to be a stable defensive foil is one, but the other is the terrible lines of communication amongst Liverpool's back four. Johnson looked very laboured in his movements, while Moreno's energy at left back is somewhat compromised by his penchant for poor decisions. Meanwhile, Skrtel and Lovren simply don't look to be taking control against opposition forward lines. FULLTIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Fadida
Guest
No Suarez no Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+3: Last moments for Liverpool, and Newcastle's defence, lead by captain Fabricio Coloccini remains strong. It's all over! Newcastle United win four straight, and they celebrate with a united huddle. For once, the Toon fans celebrate with Mike Ashley, as opposed to protesting against him. FULLTIME: Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'90+1: Three minutes added on, and Newcastle should see this out. Just cannot fathom how Liverpool can rescue this, given the lack of ideas in their performance today. Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'89: Poor challenge by Lovren earns him a booking. Cabella was working it well down the right flank, and Lovren simply took his legs out, with no intention of playing the ball. It suits Newcastle's purpose, as Cabella then aims to play it to the corner flag, but eventually he concedes the goalkick to Mignolet. Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'87: Saved by Krul off Moreno! Balotelli takes a wide position, and delivers a good ball that the Spaniard doesn't make good enough contact with, and Krul had to dive to snuff that shot away! Moreno will be desperate to atone for his critical error that allowed Perez's goal. Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Fadida
Guest
Rodgers is a very good coach but totally lacks an eye for talent
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'84: 1-0 down at Newcastle. Never mind Liverpool, you only have a trip to make to Madrid on Wednesday, and then Chelsea will come to Anfield. We all know how that one turned out last season. Sissoko now taking in some deep breaths as he is down and getting treatment. Possibly genuine, possibly gamesmanship. It suits Newcastle either way, as the Frenchman doesn't look to be struggling with anything too serious. Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Good question. No doubt Balotelli was handled better at Milan. Cheers Vas.
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'82: Sissoko finding more joy in the penalty area, and again Mignolet is alert to Sissoko's attempted pullback. Please read this again from a self-confessed Liverpool tragic: this defence is simply awful. It does not look the part in applying any pressure to the opposition. Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'80: Rickie Lambert is now on for Coutinho. How you can comprehend his role at Liverpool since arriving from Southampton is worthy of separate conversation. Liverpool's free kick is cleared well enough, and Newcastle break at speed before Cabella tries a curling effort that doesn't curl. It simply keeps the same trajectory from his effort outside the box, and flies past and over Mignolet's left post. Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
He has worked hard Tom. Can't fault the effort, but I'm struggling to comprehend the tactics from Rodgers. It seems he has this insistence on playing Sterling off Balotelli, which simply hasn't worked for Liverpool since Sturridge was injured. Balotelli plays best with a strike partner. Why can't Rodgers start Lambert?
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'76: Corner for Liverpool. It was a great delivery by Gerrard, which no one picked up! Moments later, Cabella has a clear run on goal as he trades passes with Perez and runs past a slow Johnson. In the end, Cabella's shot is kicked away by Mignolet. That's actually a really good save, and keeps Liverpool in this game. Newcastle really should have finished Liverpool off there. Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Vas Venkatramani
Roar Guru
'74: PEREZ SCORES! NEWCASTLE TAKE THE LEAD, AFTER ANOTHER PATHETIC ATTEMPT AT DEFENDING BY LIVERPOOL. Sissoko gets the easy run into the box, plays it to Cabella, who lays it back onto the Frenchman, and his pass is met by Moreno, whose first touch is terrible and Perez pounces the ball past Mignolet! Moreno will get the blame for the awful touch, but Liverpool's defence in enabling Sissoko's run was just abysmal. Put the red blinkers aside. That was terrible Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool
Tom from Perth
Roar Rookie
Nice one Newcastle. How has Balotelli played Vas?
Wynter
Roar Pro
PEREZ!! Why does he not start <3