Predicted Newcastle lineup to face Liverpool: Targett returns in place of Burn

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Newcastle United are putting their undefeated start to the season on the line against Liverpool on Wednesday night.

Eddie Howe’s battered and bruised Magpies take on a Liverpool team that just won their first game of the season – a 9-0 thrashing of Bournemouth.

In contrast, Newcastle played out a 1-1 draw with Wolves at the weekend. The draw was probably a fair result, and means Howe’s side are still yet to taste defeat.

There’s a chance that could change at Anfield, and here’s who we predict to be in the Newcastle starting lineup to face Liverpool

Targett replaces Burn in Newcastle defence

Matt Targett started on the bench on Sunday, but should return to the Newcastle starting XI against Liverpool. While Dan Burn has done very well at left-back, he probably isn’t the most mobile to deal with the threat of Mo Salah.

Targett is much better suited, and should start after making a cameo off the bench against Wolves.

The rest of the defence should remain unchanged, despite there being some concern surrounding Kieran Trippier. However, Howe has said that the 31-year-old is ‘fine‘.

Longstaff must improve vs Liverpool

Longstaff was the surprise starter at Molineux, replacing the injured Bruno Guimaraes.

It feels incredibly unlikely that the Brazilian will feature at Anfield, which is a massive blow to our chances.

That means Longstaff will continue in his place, and he needs to step up after a disappointing outing versus Wolves. It was his 100th appearance for Newcastle, so let’s hope his 101st appearance is more impressive.

First start of the season for Ryan Fraser

Newcastle have another injury concern in the shape of Allan Saint-Maximin. The Frenchman is a doubt with a hamstring injury, and it feels incredibly unlikely that Howe will take a risk on him.

That should therefore open the door for Ryan Fraser to make his first start of the season.

The 28-year-old came on as a substitute against Wolves and was lively, putting some dangerous balls into the area. Hopefully we see more of the same against Jurgen Klopp’s side.

That’s what Chris Wood will be hoping for, after a quiet afternoon against Wolves. He should start again, amid doubts over Alexander Isak’s eligibility.

Predicted XI vs Liverpool: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Botman, Targett; Willock, Longstaff, Joelinton; Almiron, Fraser, Wood.