Newcastle vs Liverpool match preview: team news, lineups, referee, TV, kick-off time

After accruing four points from the opening two fixtures of the season, Liverpool face a tough away game against Newcastle, with the aim of making it two wins in a row.

Liverpool have certainly shown signs that they can get back to their best this season, but it's going to take a lot of work. After securing a 1-1 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge, the Reds then came back from 1-0 down against Bournemouth to eventually win the game 3-1, despite being a man down courtesy of a controversial Alexis Mac Allister red card in the second half.

Liverpool's attack has never been the problem – there's plenty of fire power, even though they will be seriously tested against one of last season's best defensive units. However, it is Liverpool's own defence that is letting them down at times, and with the Magpies netting five past Aston Villa on the opening day of the season, it could get messy if Liverpool aren't on the top of their game.

Nevertheless Jurgen Klopp will be hoping for a strong start, and the fixture has everything it needs to be a cracker.

Here's everything you need to know about the game.

DATE, KICK-OFF AND STADIUM

• Date: Sunday, 27 August 2023

• Kick-off time: 16:30 BST / 11:30 ET / 08:30 PT

• Stadium: St James' Park (52,305 capacity)

HEAD-TO-HEAD RECORD

Liverpool and Newcastle have faced one another on 185 occasions in history, with the Reds coming out on top in 91 games, drawing 44, and losing 50.

In the Jurgen Klopp era, Liverpool have been incredibly successful against Newcastle. The Reds boss has only ever been beaten by the Magpies once since he joined the club, and that defeat came in his first outing to Tyneside in October 2015 (Liverpool lost 2-0).

Since that day, Klopp has recorded four draws and nine wins against Newcastle, and he was the only manager to beat Eddie Howe both home and away last season – despite Liverpool having a difficult campaign and Newcastle fans enjoying their best season since the mid-90s.

WHERE TO WATCH NEWCASTLE VS LIVERPOOL ON TV

Trent Alexander-Arnold was seen limping down the tunnel after being forced off in the second half against Bournemouth last weekend, with the defender spending the rest of the game in the treatment room.

While this was a scare for Liverpool fans, Klopp has since come out and played down the rumours of a substantial injury, insisting that the scouser was simply on the end of a painful knock.

In his Friday press conference, Klopp confirmed that Alexander-Arnold will be fit and ready to face Newcastle on Sunday.

Curtis Jones didn't make the squad last weekend after picking up a slight ankle injury in training. Both he and Thiago Alcantara will only return to full training after the weekend, Klopp has confirmed.

The other big news is that Ibrahima Konate is a doubt after he picked up a muscle injury. Should he be left out at St James' Park, one of Joel Matip or Joe Gomez should deputise.

One player who will be available for contention, however, is Alexis Mac Allister. In an official statement Tuesday evening, the FA revoked the Argentine's three-match suspension for serious foul play, after a successful appeal from Liverpool. That will come as a welcomed relief and a big boost going into a tough away game.

NEWCASTLE TEAM NEWS

The biggest injury concern for Newcastle is none other than Joelinton. The Brazilian is coming off the back of a stellar season in central midfield, with many eager to see him carry that form through to 2023/24.

However, the player limped off injured just past the hour-mark against Manchester City last weekend and is a major doubt for the Liverpool clash.

Joelinton's midfield teammate Joe Willock will also be unavailable for the match, after suffering a hamstring injury that will keep the Englishman out until after the international break.

PREDICTED LINEUP

Here's how Liverpool could start the game against Newcastle on Sunday afternoon:

(4-3-3): Alisson Becker; Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joel Matip, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson; Wataru Endo, Harvey Elliott, Dominik Szoboszlai; Mohamed Salah, Luis Diaz, Diogo Jota

PREDICTION

An away trip to Newcastle is never easy and the fixture is associated with some of the most exhilarating and famous encounters in Premier League history.

It will likely be Liverpool's biggest test of the season so far. The Reds have a good record against the Magpies, and both teams have the ability to score for fun.

Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool