Arne Slot could make a few tweaks to his Liverpool starting XI at Newcastle (Image: GETTY)
‘s fixture schedule gets no easier after Sunday’s defeat of reigning champions as an intense calendar pits them with a trip to on Wednesday night.
The Reds are on a run of seven wins across all competitions and are nine points clear of and after just 13 games. But they will know are a team fully capable of halting their momentum having beaten at St James’ Park last month.
Express Sport looks at how could line up…
Goalkeeper: Kelleher
While back in training from a hamstring injury, Alisson is not expected to come back into contention until at least the weekend’s trip to Goodison Park to face Everton.
Irish deputy Kelleher has been excellent in Alisson’s absence and kept clean sheets against both Real Madrid and last week. He has six shut-outs in 11 appearances this season having only managed five in 26 outings last term.
Defence: Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson
The same back four that kept at bay on Sunday will start against the Magpies. That is because have such little room for defensive rotation at the moment with Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas all out injured.
Slot explained in his post-match press conference at Anfield: “Knowing that we play Wednesday and Saturday the Merseyside derby with only five [defenders] available, we have to take care of them.”
Joe Gomez was brilliant against City and will partner captain Virgil van Dijk in the heart of the backline with and Andy Robertson asked to go again in the full-back roles.
Slot brought Alexander-Arnold off on 73 minutes against City but explained: “These players that we have available now, it is important for them now – even more than normal – to stay fit. That’s also why I took Trent off after 70 minutes. He was able to play longer.”
Curtis Jones should return to the Liverpool starting eleven at St James’ Park (Image: GETTY)
Midfield: Gravenberch, Mac Allister
Having dominated the Real Madrid and midfields last week, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis Mac Allister will again be the two-man partnership in the north east.
Gravenberch has arguably been the best midfielder in the this season but will again have his work cut out for him against the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali.
Attack: Salah, Jones, Diaz; Nunez
Curtis Jones was rested for Dominik Szoboszlai in the win over City but the local-born midfielder should return to the team here in the first of two changes. Jones has hit the best form of his career under Slot and will be key to giving the away side control of this contest.
On the right, current Player of the Year favourite has 11 goals and seven assists in 13 games but only one of his previous eight goals against in a shirt have come at St James’ Park – a stat he’ll be keen to change.
Luis Diaz will shift from centre-forward back to the left wing, with Cody Gakpo dropping back to the bench. That means the second change will see Darwin Nunez lead the line with Diogo Jota still out due to injury.