Chris Sutton has now given his prediction for Newcastle United’s fixture against Liverpool on New Year’s Day.
Newcastle are hoping to end their poor run of form in the Premier League but face a very tough challenge as they head to Anfield for their first game of 2024.
In his predictions for BBC Sport, Sutton has claimed that this is a big game for Eddie Howe and Newcastle, but that he just can’t see anything other than another three points for Liverpool who sit top of the league.
Sutton says Newcastle have to find a win
Newcastle no longer have to worry about their added European games after being knocked out of the Champions League earlier this month, so all attention turns to the two domestic competitions they remain in.
The Magpies have lost three of their last four league games with the only win coming against 10-man Fulham over two weeks ago now, a run which has seen them drop to ninth.
Pressure has been building on Howe from the media who, though it seems that the 46-year-old still has the full backing of the board who understand the difficult situation that he’s been in.
But that still doesn’t change the fact that Newcastle need to turn this run of form around at some point soon, especially with an FA Cup tie against Sunderland now less than a week away.
On the game, Sutton said: “With one win in four Premier League games, this has turned into an even bigger match for Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, whose side have struggled on the road all season.
“Newcastle need to keep faith with Howe, but after this game they face north-east rivals Sunderland in the FA Cup and then host Manchester City, so they have to find a win from somewhere.
“I don’t see it happening at Anfield, though. A lot of people are banging on about Arsenal challenging City for the title, but Liverpool are the team who will push them closest.
“Liverpool will miss Mohamed Salah when he goes away with Egypt to the Africa Cup of Nations in mid-January, but they have enough firepower to win without him – and he will be around to play in this one.”
Newcastle will be out for revenge
In their previous meeting at the beginning of the season, Newcastle completely collapsed against a 10-man Liverpool side despite going ahead early in the game and being in control right until the last 10 minutes.
It was one of the toughest results to swallow as a Newcastle fan, especially after last year’s games against Liverpool in which one was lost in the final seconds and the other saw Nick Pope get sent off.
Newcastle will now be desperate to finally get one over Jurgen Klopp’s team, but with the Reds flying so high this season it’s going to be another huge ask for this already stretched team.
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