Newcastle United are set to face Liverpool in their final match before the Carabao Cup final, but Paul Merson believes the Premier League fixture is a ‘massive game’ for the Magpies.
Eddie Howe’s side welcome the Reds to St James’ Park, with both sides looking to qualify for next season’s Champions League.
Liverpool have been well off the pace, but will be confident after Monday night’s Merseyside derby win. As for Newcastle, we are on a bad run of form but remain in fourth place. We are the hunted, and Liverpool are the hunters.
Then there is the additional subplot of Newcastle’s unbeaten run. We have gone 17 Premier League matches without defeat. The last time we were beaten in the league was against Liverpool at Anfield back in August.
The controversial nature of that game will give Toon fans extra incentive to get a result at Liverpool’s expense.
But it is going to be a very difficult game for Howe’s side, and pundit Paul Merson has had his say on who he thinks will come out on top.
Paul Merson thinks Newcastle vs Liverpool will be a draw
As part of his latest column for Sportskeeda, Merson has predicted this weekend’s Premier League results. He believes that Newcastle’s unbeaten run will go on with a 1-1 draw against Liverpool.
“This is a massive game,” Merson wrote.
“Liverpool are back to their high-tempo style of play, and they’re closing down very well. Some of their players played very well against Everton. They’re not at their best yet, but they’re getting there.
“This is such a hard game to call. Liverpool are in for a big few days – and they’ll face Real Madrid after their Premier League game against Newcastle. The Champions League is their last chance to win a trophy. A draw here doesn’t really help them, to be honest. They’ll need to win this match.
“Cody Gakpo looked like a different player after he scored his goal. As a professional footballer, if there’s one thing you can bottle up and keep forever, it’s confidence. After Gakpo scored his goals, he was steaming past players. I’d play him this weekend alongside Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah.
“Newcastle are a solid team, but they’re not winning many football matches. If Liverpool win this game, they’ve got every chance of making it into the Premier League top four. I think this game will end in a draw – it suits Newcastle, but it doesn’t suit Liverpool.”
Draw would suit Newcastle
As Merson says, a draw would suit Newcastle. It would ensure that Liverpool do not close the gap between the two sides, and it allows us to preserve our unbeaten run in the Premier League. It would also mean we remain the only top flight club that is yet to lose at home.
Liverpool will know this is a great chance to prove they are well and truly in the race for the top four. However, they will also have eyes on their midweek Champions League clash with Real Madrid.
But Newcastle have a distraction too – the small matter of a trip to Wembley for the League Cup final. Howe will be keen to protect his players ahead of the club’s biggest game in years.
He already has a slight selection dilemma, with Joe Willock set to miss out with injury. Howe must also decide whether to recall Callum Wilson in place of Alexander Isak.
The Toon boss has some tough decisions to make ahead of what is set to be a huge game at St James’ Park on Saturday night. He will obviously by eyeing victory, but I’m sure a lot of Toon fans would take a point if they were offered it right now.
Receive a digest of our best Newcastle content each week direct to your mailbox
