Newcastle United have an almighty task ahead of them on Thursday night.
The Magpies are back in Premier League action, and face Liverpool at Anfield.
Eddie Howe needs to pick his players up after the 4-0 defeat to Leicester City, but fixtures don’t really come much more difficult than the Reds away.
Newcastle actually secured two draws against Liverpool last season.
Many supporters would probably take another on Thursday.
Jurgen Klopp has been complimentary of Newcastle in the past, and here are three stars he’s picked out for praise.
Allan Saint-Maximin
Ahead of this same fixture last season, Klopp praised Newcastle’s French maverick Allan Saint-Maximin.
He said: “Mr Saint-Maximin is a proper footballer, he was injured and that was a blow but along with Joelinton they play really well together.”
Saint-Maximin certainly can be ‘a proper footballer’.
Just at the moment though he is not quite on it, and Newcastle really need that to change.
Perhaps thinking back to Klopp’s previous comments will see him turn it on on Merseyside.
Callum Wilson
Callum Wilson is Newcastle’s main man up top, and Klopp knows it.
Speaking ahead of the game at St. James’ Park in December 2020 about whether Wilson would feature, he said: ” We expect him to play. He is a good striker but, actually, they have a couple of really good players. That’s it.
“We have to be ready for that.”
Wilson has been in good form so far this season, scoring six goals in 12 appearances.
Against the Reds, he’s netted twice in nine appearances, and Magpies fans will be hoping he can add to that tally on Thursday.
Jonjo Shelvey
Jonjo Shelvey is a former Liverpool player, but left Anfield a couple of years before Klopp pitched up.
The German coach praised the midfielder ahead of a meeting with Newcastle in 2017.
He said: “Shelvey and Merino in the middle of the pitch? That’s the biggest quality football-wise.”
Shelvey has shown signs of real improvement since Eddie Howe came in at Newcastle.
He seems to be pressing much more. And that’s something that will be required of him a lot on Thursday, with Liverpool likely to dominate the ball.
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