Newcastle v Liverpool

English Premier League

Date: Sunday, 06 December, 2015

Time: 16:00 BST

Venue: St James’ Park, Newcastle

Live stream: Watch PL live 

A vastly improving Liverpool side travel to St James’ Park to take on a fast fading Newcastle side stuck in the mire of a relegation battle. Jurgen Klopp’s Reds are on the back of a stunning 6-1 demolition of  Southampton in the League Cup midweek. Meanwhile, Steve McClaren’s Magpies have conceded eight goals in their last two league games, but have had three more days of rest than their weekend opponents.

Newcastle’s last home game was a 3-0 loss to Leicester City, and they will look to get their home form on the affirmative. They have won only once at home this season, a 6-2 win over Norwich in October. On the other hand, Liverpool have been in fine form on the road of late. Their 4-1 win over Manchester City and 3-1 win over Chelsea have everyone salivating, and another impressionable win over Newcastle doesn’t look far-fetched.

Newcastle v Liverpool: Team News

Lucas returns to the fold after serving a one-game suspension against Swansea last weekend but Emre Can will sit out of the game after earning a one-game accumulated cards suspension. Philippe Coutinho hasn’t recovered from a hamstring injury and will miss out.

Newcastle have a host of injury problems with defender Mike Williamson ruled out, as well as Jamaal Lascelles, both sidelined with hamsting injuries. Cheick Tiote is also ruled out, while goalkeeper Tim Krul is among a host of long-term absentees.

Newcastle v Liverpool: Probable Line-Ups

Newcastle: Elliot, Mbemba, Coloccini, Dummett, Janmaat, Sissoko, Anita, Wijnaldum, Thauvin, De Jong, Perez.

Liverpool: Mignolet, Lovren, Skrtel, Moreno, Clyne, Allen, Lucas, Milner, Firmino, Benteke, Lallana.

Newcastle v Liverpool: Key Stats

No side have scored more Premier League goals against Newcastle than Liverpool (86).Steve McClaren met Jurgen Klopp twice in the 2010/11 Bundesliga season, with Klopp’s Dortmund winning both games against Wolfsburg, 2-0 at home and 3-0 away.Daniel Sturridge has netted six goals against the Magpies in the top flight (including four in his last three); more than against any other side.Only Liverpool v Everton (20) and Liverpool v Manchester United (16) have produced more Premier League red cards than the clashes between Liverpool and Newcastle (14).

Prediction: Newcastle 0-1 Liverpool