Newcastle head to Liverpool on Saturday knowing that the steep hill of saving themselves from relegation becomes a mountain if they can’t come home with anything.
In an ideal world, Rafa would return to his old stomping ground with a carefully masterminded game plan to park the bus and win 1-0. Unfortunately, one doubts it will be that straight forward however. One thing we know that Rafa will be able to do though, is to make sure the selected 11 put in a shift and play for one and other. Something that we’ve seen these players are more than capable of in our last 2 games.
Yes, I was gutted that Gini didn’t find a late winner against City, but the lads should head to Anfield buoyed by their improvements in the last week. They proved that Swansea was no fluke by following it up with a fine display against the champions league semi-finalists with a performance that merited all three points.
There’s not really time to say ‘what if’ in the relegation battle so we must move on and play in exactly the same manner against Liverpool. But as any Newcastle fan will reiterate we suffer from severe travel sickness having won just twice away all season. Neither of those wins have come since the turn of the year either and you would say that Rafa needs points from both of our final 2 away games Liverpool and Villa.
If we did find ourselves in the unlikely scenario of claiming all three points from the Merseysiders it would complete a league double over them after our home success back in November. On that day, it was Dutchman Gini Wijnaldum who put in a fine display scoring both goals in our 2-0 win.
In terms of head to head record, Liverpool have enjoyed this fixture down the years on their home patch. From the 81 games played, Liverpool have won 54, Newcastle just 12 and there has been 15 draws. Liverpool have failed to win just 2 of the last 10 games at Anfield against Newcastle. One of those the 1-1 draw not too long ago in the 2012-13 season.
How we could do with some Cabaye magic like his wonderful half-volley in 2012
It’s sure to be an intriguing contest between a side who have come off the back of a memorable European night and a 4-0 derby win and a rejuvenated Rafa Benitez team scrapping at the foot of the table.
If you asked me now I’d take a point. So in my pre-match prediction I’m going for a 1-1 draw.
