Most Liverpool fans expect to continue their Anfield dominance over Newcastle United, which is fair enough.
The Reds are top of the league after winning every game so far, while the Magpies have never won against Liverpool away for 25 years.
Ahead of the game, we spoke to Brendan Hodrien from Liverpool website Rousing The Kop, and it’s fair to say he’s relatively confident about his side’s chances.
“I can see Liverpool killing the game inside 20 minutes,” Brendan told Geordie Boot Boys.
“Salah and Mane didn’t have any international duty and as such got the rest they should’ve got over the summer. I can see one of the pair scoring in the first 20 [minutes] and it ending four or 5-0.”
That’s how it played out last season at Anfield. After 11 minutes, the Magpies were already behind after a Dejan Lovren strike. When the final whistle blew, it was 4-0 to the Reds with Newcastle failing to lay a glove on Jurgen Klopp’s side. The result was Newcastle’s heaviest defeat of the season.
But is there a chance that Liverpool could take Steve Bruce’s side lightly ahead of their return to Champions League action in midweek? Reds fan Brendan expects changes, but not because they don’t respect the opposition.
“I think he’ll have to,” Brendan said when asked if Klopp will rotate.
“The international break meant a lot of travelling for Firmino and Fabinho and a lot of minutes for Henderson.
“With Napoli on Tuesday, I think he’ll be forced into changes. I don’t think this has anything to do with the strength of the opposition as we always give Newcastle respect due to the fixture’s history.”
While Liverpool are desperate to win the Premier League title, the trip to Napoli is the tougher game…just.
If Klopp makes a few changes, there’s a chance we can catch them cold and defy the odds at Anfield. But no matter who starts in red, Newcastle are going to be on the back foot from the first minute.
Liverpool are confident and rightly so. As for Newcastle fans, we’re just wondering if we can keep the score down to a respectable amount.
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