Newcastle United welcome Liverpool to St James’ Park this weekend, and Callum Wilson believes that the Magpies are going to give Jurgen Klopp’s side a difficult game.
Toon fans will be preparing to give the players a massive send off ahead of the Carabao Cup final next week, and it is a chance for Eddie Howe’s side to build up some momentum for the game at Wembley.
The Carabao Cup final could well be a distraction for Newcastle, but Saturday’s Premier League contest is certainly a big one in our bid to qualify for the Champions League.
A win for Liverpool would allow them to close the gap, and hand them even more confidence as they look to battle back in the race to finish in the top four.
As well as a chance to build up momentum, Newcastle could do with the three points to strengthen their top four claim. We are on a difficult run at the moment, winning just one of our previous five games.
However, we remain unbeaten in 17 Premier League matches, which brings us to Saturday’s other subplot. Liverpool are the only side that has beaten us in the league this season, and it came in controversial circumstances. Toon fans will be eager to get revenge for what happened at Anfield.
Callum Wilson ready for ‘big’ game against Liverpool
“We’ve got Liverpool at home,” Wilson said.
“It’s a big one. They’ve just won the Merseyside derby. We’re on the back of a couple of draws which is frustrating.
“At home. Game before the cup final. You want to go into the cup final with a bit of momentum.
“Coming up to Newcastle is a difficult game for anyone at the moment so fingers crossed we get a positive result.”
Newcastle need some momentum
As Wilson says, you want momentum going into a cup final – I assume anyway, it’s not something I’ve got much experience in as a Newcastle fan.
But while the top four and the previous game against Liverpool makes the contest very important, Newcastle’s biggest priority will be ensuring they prepare for Wembley in the best way possible.
That doesn’t necessarily mean we have to win. In truth, a draw would be a good result. But we need a performance that is full of energy and passion. We need to set our standard for the next game – the club’s biggest in a long time.
Newcastle have been riding a wave of momentum this season, and we need it to come back around on Saturday. Howe will demand a confident performance from his players, and Wilson is well aware that Newcastle need to build up some momentum ahead of next weekend.
He has fired a warning to Liverpool by telling them that coming to the North East is tough right now. Hopefully that continues to be the case and it is Newcastle celebrating on Saturday night.
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