Liverpool will be hoping to capitalise on Manchester City’s defeat on Sunday by picking up maximum points against Newcastle. City slipping up means that if Liverpool were to beat the Magpies, they would close the deficit between them and the top four to just four points.
Newcastle have had a torrid time of late, and John Carver will be chomping at the bit to put things right, as he looks to keep his job at the end of the season. Unfortunately for him – it looks like he’ll be gone. Carver was bitterly disappointed with the side’s performance against Sunderland in their last fixture. Carver’s men lost 1-0, but never looked anything special on the day – and didn’t really look like equalizing in the Tyne-Wear derby.
Newcastle, under different management in Alan Pardew, did beat Liverpool in their only other meeting this season. An Ayoze Perez goal was enough to beat a completely disjointed Liverpool side. I remember watching the game and it was absolutely horrific. Shambles. The performance was terrible. Let’s hope the performance is significantly better.
(nufc.co.uk)
Liverpool will be looking to get back to winning ways in the Premier League come Monday night. Brendan Rodgers’ side were given a huge boost, though, with the side’s victory in midweek. It’s a nice distraction from the Premier League with a trip to Wembley on the horizon (Sunday). Liverpool cannot afford to be complacent or not give their all this game, however. I’m sure Rodgers will be drilling that into the player’s heads, too. Top four’s on.
Mamadou Sakho hobbled off in midweek, which is a huge blow. Liverpool will be missing their best defender for this game and the semi-final. Huge blow. Emre Can’s back, so it’s sound. He sat out his suspension in the game against Blackburn.
Liverpool played a 4-3-3 in midweek which poses all sorts of questions which only Rodgers knows the answers to. Does he go with it again? The performance was impressive. Does Emre Can therefore move into midfield, or does he play as part of a two centre back partnership? He could even play as the right-back if Rodgers doesn’t want to upset the midfield trio of Henderson, Lucas and Allen.
Sturridge also picked up a minor knock in Wednesday’s win. Will he be fit in time? I doubt he will be risked with the Villa game in less than a week. Sterling up front? Jordon Ibe in? Ibe is available again following a spell on the sidelines through injury. That’s what I’d do; the lad’s great.
I’d stick with Dejan Lovren and Kolo Toure; they have definitely earned it. I thought Lovren was fantastic against Blackburn; granted it’s Blackburn, but you can only do what is in front of you. Toure also performed to a decent level after a rocky week following up to the game. The full-backs; Glen Johnson and Alberto Moreno did well, also. Keep them the same.
This is the side I’d go with; same formation:
(fanscorners.com/Liverpool/squad-selector/)
Bobby Vincent
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