Newcastle United are enduring their biggest dip since Eddie Howe became manager, so a trip to Anfield to face Liverpool is exactly what they do not want.
The Boxing Day defeat to Nottingham Forest was desperate, and other results mean that the Magpies are now ninth in the Premier League. Talk of qualifying for the Champions League again has been put on ice as Newcastle try to figure out how to salvage a season that has slightly unravelled in recent weeks.
To make matters worse, Newcastle have a very difficult run of fixtures on the horizon, starting on New Year’s Day against Liverpool. The Magpies’ record at Anfield is shocking, with United not winning a game there since 1994.
Combine that with the fact that Liverpool are top of the league at the halfway stage and are looking to get their hands back on the Premier League trophy, and you could argue that Newcastle could not ask for a more difficult start to 2024.
That is what Paul Merson believes, with the former England international backing Eddie Howe’s side to lose a third consecutive league game to kick off the new year.
Paul Merson predicts Newcastle to lose against Liverpool
As part of his latest column for Sportskeeda, Merson has predicted the scores of every Premier League game this weekend. He has tipped Newcastle to lose 2-0 against Liverpool on Monday night.
“I can’t believe Newcastle United were beaten by Nottingham Forest earlier this week, it was an absolutely shocking result for Eddie Howe’s side,” he wrote.
“It’s all about timings when you play one of the so-called big games and Liverpool are playing the Magpies at the perfect time.
“Forest’s victory against Newcastle wasn’t a smash-and-grab as they were really poor on the night and got well beaten. Newcastle were also poor in the cup game against Chelsea, so things are not going well for them at the moment.
“Liverpool, on the other hand, got a hard-fought 2-0 win against Burnley in a game that marked Diogo Jota’s return to the team. He’s a top player and his presence will come as a timely boost for Jurgen Klopp, who is set to lose Mohamed Salah next month as the 31-year-old prepares to represent Egypt at the AFCON.
“Liverpool are very much in the thick of it in the race for the Premier League title and should win this one at home. Their squad isn’t perfect, but I can’t see Klopp dipping into the market in January despite their injury crisis at the back, with the likes of Joel Matip, Andy Robertson and Kostas Tsimikas on the sidelines.”
Difficult to argue with Merson’s Newcastle assessment
Sadly, Merson is right. Liverpool are playing against us at the perfect time. Our away form is absolutely terrible this season, so going to a ground where we always struggle is far from ideal.
Meanwhile, Liverpool are flying high. They are title contenders, and will either be hoping to reclaim top spot or extend their lead when they face Newcastle.
It is going to be such a tough game for Eddie Howe, who still has complete support of the owners despite the recent dip in form.
Even a defeat to Liverpool won’t change their minds, but it will certainly dent fan confidence even further as the Tyne-Wear derby against Sunderland looms.
As Merson says, things are not going well for Newcastle right now, and it is difficult to envision them improving against Liverpool.
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