Preview: Liverpool – Newcastle

Newcastle look to end this horrendous run of no wins nor points gained since the end of February, looking to break their 21 year hoodoo at Anfield as they face Liverpool on Monday night, live on Sky.

Much has been aggrieved by Newcastle fans heading into this fixture, even prior to their non-existent performance against local rivals Sunderland last Sunday.

Fans are being charged upwards of £47 for this fixture & as high as £53, the former with restricted views. These ticket prices for a televised Monday night match with roughly 800 travelling fans, when a more convenient fixture such as QPR v Chelsea could’ve been televised during this slot instead is nothing short of outrageous. I digress.

Liverpool go into this off the back of reaching the FA Cup semi-finals against Aston Villa, having narrowly getting past Blackburn Rovers midweek. Prior to this, their top 4 hopes seem to have all but gone with a thumping defeat at the hands of Arsenal.

Newcastle mind have been far from close to emulating any form of late. They’ve lost their last 4 matches, including a flattering defeat against arch rivals Sunderland, their 5th on the bounce. A match in which almost every player showed no heart, desire, fight, game plan or any deserved reason to still be a Premier League side. Only Jonas Gutierrez seemed to chase the match, barking & raving at his fellow team mates, falling on deaf ears.

They’re bottom of the league form table, they’ve scored once in their last 4 matches, conceding 7. Another heavy defeat on Monday night will add much fuel to the fire for Newcastle fans on social media to #BoycottSpurs

Team news

Liverpool are still without the suspended Martin Skrtel & Steven Gerrard, but may welcome back Daniel Sturridge to the bench. Raheem Sterling looks set to keep his place in the XI, despite wide speculation about his immediate future at Anfield.

Newcastle welcome Rolando Aarons & Siem De Jong back to full training, however Monday will once again come too soon for the returning duo. News is awaited on Daryl Janmaat’s fitness, but is expected to be OK for the trip to Merseyside.

Key clash: Henderson v Sissoko

Tipped as the next ‘Gerrard’ figure at Anfield, the former Sunderland man will relish such an occasion to step up as vice-captain against his boyhood club’s rivals.

Moussa Sissoko has a tendency to up his ability, efforts & profile when it comes to playing against the ‘bigger clubs’ in the Premier League, perhaps looking to enhance his chances for a transfer in the summer. If he wishes to do this, he’ll have to carry this dismal Newcastle side to a strong result at Anfield tomorrow night – as captain no less.