Liverpool Look to End League Winless Run as Newcastle Visit Anfield

Reds seek Premier League reset after European boost against in-form Magpies

Liverpool will aim to halt their worrying winless run in the Premier League after a morale-boosting midweek triumph, as they welcome Newcastle United to Anfield in a key clash in the race for European qualification.

Team news and form

Liverpool finally delivered the emphatic victory they had been craving on Wednesday night, thrashing Qarabag 6-0 to seal direct qualification for the Champions League last 16. The result provided a timely confidence lift after a dramatic 3-2 defeat to Bournemouth, where a stoppage-time goal condemned the Reds to a fifth consecutive league match without a win (D4, L1) and saw them slip outside the top four.

It is Liverpool’s longest winless run in a single Premier League season since 2002/03, and under Arne Slot, the reigning champions are now in danger of becoming the first Liverpool side since 1954 to go winless in their first six league matches of a calendar year.

Newcastle did not join Liverpool in the Champions League last 16, but their 1-1 draw away at European champions PSG was a significant result and ensures Eddie Howe’s side arrive on Merseyside in positive spirits. Building on that momentum will be crucial, especially after failing to score in three consecutive domestic matches prior to that trip (D1, L2).

The Magpies’ away form remains a concern, having failed to score in six of their 11 away league matches this season (W2, D4, L5), making it difficult to realistically close the five-point gap to the top four ahead of this round.

Head-to-head

Liverpool are dominant in this fixture, unbeaten in their last 18 Premier League meetings with Newcastle (W13, D5). At Anfield, the run stretches even further, with the Reds unbeaten in 29 league home games against the Magpies (W24, D5) — Newcastle’s longest ever winless streak against a single opponent in league history.

Stats and trends

• Liverpool have scored a joint-league-high 13 goals after the 75th minute this season.
  
• In nine of Liverpool’s 11 home league games, the half-time result has matched the final score.
  
• Four of Newcastle’s last five matches have produced fewer than 2.5 goals.
  
• The half-time result has also been repeated at full-time in nine of Newcastle’s 11 away league matches this season.
  

One to watch and absences

Mohamed Salah could make Premier League history, becoming the first player to record 10 goals and 10 assists against a single opponent, having already managed 10 goals and nine assists against Newcastle.

For the visitors, Harvey Barnes remains a late-game threat, with nine of his 12 goals this season coming after half-time — including his only goal to date against Liverpool.

Liverpool’s defensive injury list may grow further, with Jeremie Frimpong forced off midweek, while Newcastle’s Joelinton did not feature in their Champions League fixture and remains a doubt.