EPL Preview: Liverpool host Newcastle United in bid to end in top four
With only seven games left in this season, Liverpool struggle to make it in top four. Though getting of to a solid start in the beginning of new year, Liverpool have had a sloppy run lately. Will the Red's get past the Magpies to boast their way into the top four? Or will Newcastle prove to be a barrier in their path?
Liverpool will look to make amends to their recent sloppy form when they host Newcastle United at Anfield. The Red's began the year with a solid start, winning eight of their ten PL games and drawing the other two. But they slipped of their great run and lost the top four spot after loosing their previous two fixtures.
Brendan Rodgers's men stand sixth in the league with 54 points and will definitely look to get back into top four for a Champions League spot in next season. Liverpool had a worse run in Europe after they failed to qualify for Champions League Round of 16 and were defeated by Besiktas in Europa League Round of 32. As a result, the team were ousted from both of the Europe's competition.
To add to their worries, much speculations were made when England international, Raheem Sterling, rejected an offer of £180,000-a-week from the Red's, suggesting his possible move from the club this summer.However, Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that while the club will not conclude a new deal with Raheem Sterling until the end of the season, the player will not be sold this summer.
On the other hand, Newcastle United come to Anfield following a horrible form, loosing all of thier previous four PL encounters. Their journey in 2015 hasn't been so great. After the sacking of manager Alan Pardew, the side has managed to win just two games of their previous 12 PL encounters under new manager John Carver. They stand 13th in the league table with 35 points, nine points adrift the relegation zone. Carver's men will look to improve their form in upcoming games to stay out of the relegation zone. In recent interviews, Carver has vowed to make changes in the side against the Liverpool clash. The manager will have limited options though, due to the crippling injury and suspension list in Newcastle at the moment.
However, Newcastle United may have some advantage, as they left with a scrappy 1-0 win in their reverse fixture back in November. Ayoze Perez's winner in the 73rd minute was enough to seal the deal for The Magpies.As for Liverpool, they will hope for their players to put in a spirited performance to go past Newcastle. See down for video highlights of the reverse fixture.
Head-to-head: Liverpool have won 77 from a total of 160 games compared to Newcastle's 44 and drawing out on 39 occasions.Prediction: A 2-0 win for Liverpool. Though both teams come from two successive losses, Liverpool might just edge past Newcastle, considering a better depth in squad and added home advantage. Kick off: 12:30 am (IST)