Liverpool and Newcastle go head-to-head at Anfield in the Premier League’s first game of 2024, exclusively live on talkSPORT.
The Reds are well involved in the top-flight title race and have been battling with Arsenal for top spot throughout the busy festive period.
Liverpool beat Burnley 2-0 on Boxing DayCredit: Getty
A win away at Burnley put Jurgen Klopp’s side back on track after two draws in a row and they’ll be aiming to continue their title challenge with another victory here.
They take on the Magpies who are falling victim to fatigue and injury, having lost four of their last five league games and dropping down the table.
Liverpool vs Newcastle: Another Salah milestone
Mohamed Salah is nearing yet another milestone in the Premier League.
The Egyptian recently reached 150 goals in the top-flight and he is now one away from making it 150 for Liverpool in the competition.
If he nets against Newcastle, Salah will become only the fifth player to reach the incredible tally for a single club.
He will join Harry Kane for Tottenham, Sergio Aguero for Man City, Wayne Rooney for Man United, and Thierry Henry for Arsenal in the record books.
Salah has scored in five of his six games against the Magpies at Anfield, proving that he’s likely to find the net once again.
If he doesn’t score though, he will have to wait until after the African Cup of Nations, with Salah departing for international duty after this game.
Salah has scored 149 Premier League goals for LiverpoolCredit: AFP
- Liverpool have won their last five Premier League games against Newcastle and are unbeaten in 14 against them since a 2-0 loss in December 2015 (W10 D4).
- Newcastle have won none of their last 27 Premier League away games against Liverpool (D5 L22), since winning on their first ever visit, 2-0 in April 1994. Only Everton (28 at Chelsea, ongoing) have endured a longer winless away run against an opponent in the competition.
Liverpool vs Newcastle: Team news
Alexis Mac Allister could make a return from injury on New Year’s Day after recovering from his knee injury.
The same can’t be said for Thiago, Andy Robertson, and Stefan Bajcetic who are all set to come back later in January.
Konstantinos Tsimikas and Joel Matip are sidelined long-term with a broken collarbone and an ACL injury respectively.
As for Newcastle, their injury list continues to make a huge impact on their success.
Nick Pope, Joe Willock, Jacob Murphy, Elliot Anderson, Harvey Barnes, Matt Targett, and Jamaal Lascelles are all ruled out.
Joelinton made a return to action last time out, however, it may be risky to play the Brazilian from the start.
Howe’s side is being majorly impacted by injuriesCredit: AFP
- Liverpool have lost just one of their last 51 Premier League home games and are unbeaten in 21 at Anfield (W16 D5) since a 2-1 loss to Leeds in October 2022. However, they’ve failed to win their last two home league games, with both of those coming against sides to finish in last season’s top four (0-0 v Man Utd, 1-1 v Arsenal).
- Newcastle have won just one of their last 11 Premier League away games (D4 L6), losing each of the last four in a row. They last lost more consecutively on the road in December/January in 2020-21 (5).
Liverpool vs Newcastle: What has been said?
Diogo Jota returned with a goal against Burnley last time out and he is likely to prove to be a key player once Salah leaves for AFCON.
Speaking about Jota’s threat up front, Klopp said: “I love Diogo Jota but he missed chances in the past as well. He had some fortune like that.
“It’s the nature of the thing that we always ask for, always the players who are not involved, and then all of a sudden we think they can change the world.
“Diogo is an incredibly important player for us. Having him changed the whole dynamic, that’s true, but before in his life he missed some chances.”
Jota scored off the bench at Turf Moor on his returnCredit: AFP
- Liverpool have failed to win their first league game in any of the last three calendar years (D1 L2), going down 3-1 at Brentford in 2023. However, they’re unbeaten in five on New Year’s Day (W4 D1) since a 1-0 loss to Chelsea in 2005.
- Anthony Gordon scored Newcastle’s goal in their 2-1 defeat to Liverpool in the reverse fixture in August. The last Magpies player to score home and away Premier League goals against the Reds in the same campaign was Alan Shearer in 1999-00.
Liverpool vs Newcastle: talkSPORT coverage
This Premier League clash will take place on Monday, January 1.
Kick-off at Anfield is scheduled for 8pm.
talkSPORT will have EXCLUSIVE live coverage of the game presented by Hugh Woozencroft.
Commentary will come from Sam Matterface and former England captain Stuart Pearce.
talkSPORT.com will also be running a live blog of all the action.
