Liverpool vs Newcastle United Preview, Prediction & Betting Odds (GW24)
Liverpool and Newcastle United meet Saturday at Anfield in a pivotal Premier League clash as Gameweek 24 offers both sides a chance to strengthen their top-four ambitions. With just five points separating fourth from 11th in the table, the stakes are high for two of English football's most historic clubs.
Arne Slot continues to push the reigning champions back into the top four battle, while Newcastle United arrive hobbling with just one win in their last five fixtures (all competitions). With just five points separating fourth-place from 11th place in the table, a victory will be required if either side is to achieve their top-four ambition.
This preview covers predicted lineups, injury news, head-to-head history, betting odds and a score prediction for Saturday's Liverpool vs Newcastle United match.
Premier League Player News & Updates
When & Where to Watch (USA/UK)
Saturday, January 31 at 3:00 p.m. ET/8:00 p.m. local
US schedule (English)
- TV Channel: NBC
- Live Stream: Peacock
UK schedule
- TV Channel: TNT Sports 1 and TNT Sports Ultimate
- Live Stream: Discovery+
Liverpool vs Newcastle United Head-to-Head Record
Liverpool and Newcastle United have met on 191 occasions, dating back to 1893 when Liverpool earned a 5-1 victory over Newcastle in a League Division Two matchup at Anfield.
Liverpool lead the all-time series, winning 95 times and drawing 45 times.
Over the last five Premier League seasons, Liverpool have dominated the fixture, winning eight times and drawing twice in 10 Premier League matchups.
Fixture Trivia
Question: Before completing his summer transfer from Newcastle to Liverpool, how many career goals did Alexander Isak score versus Liverpool?
Gameweek 23 Trivia: Across 12 Premier League encounters, how many times has Mikel Arteta defeated Manchester United?
Eight.
Betting Odds and Predictions for Liverpool vs Newcastle United
Liverpool enter as clear home favorites, with moneyline prices reflecting their dominant recent form over the Magpies.
Premier League Odds Comparisons
Moneyline Odds
DraftKings: LIV -130 Draw +310, NEW +300
FanDuel: LIV -130 Draw +290, NEW +300
BetMGM: LIV -125 Draw +300, NEW +300
Bet365: LIV -125 Draw +300, NEW +310
Visit RotoWire all season for exclusive sports betting picks and our weekly Premier League betting show. Remember that betting apps vary in terms of odds, so we have an easy-to-use odds page that allows you to shop for the best lines at DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM and PointsBet. Claim over a thousand dollars in bonuses by signing up at the best sports betting sites using the best sportsbook promos.
RECENT FORM
Liverpool (WLWDW) have secured only four points from their last five Premier League fixtures. Across recent run of form, the Reds have averaged just one goal per match. Liverpool demolished Qarabag FK 6-0 in their midweek Champions League clash.
Newcastle United (DLWDL) have just one win in their last five fixtures. Across the last five matches, the Toon have played to draws versus Paris Saint-Germain and Wolverhampton and fell to Manchester City and Aston Villa.
FORMATIONS
Liverpool are most accustomed to lining up in a 4-2-3-1. The double-pivot is intended to shield a Liverpool backline that has conceded 32 goals, tied for the ninth-most conceded in the Premier League. When operating optimally, the double-pivot provides the Liverpool full-backs license to make overlapping runs into the attacking half of the pitch.
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is likely to leverage his familiar tactics and rely upon his experienced midfield to solidify a 4-3-3 shape that focuses on the midfielders as the impetus for the team's attacking and defending successes. Expect the midfield trio to display a willingness to play a box-to-box role, assisting in protecting the back four and springing the attack when reclaiming possession.
CONFIRMED LINEUP NOTES & INJURY NEWS
Premier League Predicted & Confirmed Lineups
Liverpool Injury News & Lineup Notes
The Reds enter the fixture contending with a rash of injuries and absences in the midfield and attacking ranks, while carrying one glaring injury in attack.
Defensively, Ibrahima Konate (personal) and Joe Gomez (undisclosed) are each considered game time decisions for Saturday. Konate has missed the last three matches after the passing of his father, but the manager struck an optimistic tone in the prematch press conference, stating, "[I am] hoping and expecting to have Ibou [Konate] but I cannot guarantee this yet, but we are hoping Ibou will be back with us [Saturday]."
In the same press conference, Slot was less optimistic regarding the timeline for Gomez's return and mentioned, "Joe will be tight." If both defenders were to miss the clash, it would mean Ryan Gravenberch could be required to deputize alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defense.
At full-back, Jeremie Frimpong (hamstring) is a doubt for the clash suffering a muscle injury in Liverpool's midweek Champions League win. With fellow full-back Connor Bradley (knee) unavailable for an extended run, Dominik Szoboszlai could be forced to drop from the midfield into the backline to provide defensive cover.
In the midfield, Curtis Jones (illness) is a doubt for the clash after being left out of the midweek Champions League squad, leaving Slot's men thin in the middle of the park if both Gravenberch and Szoboszlai are forced to assume defensive positions. As the Reds adapt to their injury reality, Wataru Endo could see time in the midfield, as he has recently returned from an extended injury absence.
Notably, former Newcastle striker Alexander Isak remains a long-term absence after suffering an ankle fracture.
Newcastle United Injury News & Lineup Notes
The Magpies will enter the fixture in relative health compared to their counterparts.
The absences of Fabian Schar (ankle) and Valentino Livramento (hamstring) have provided a fresh challenge to Howe as he navigates the January injuries to two key defenders. Schar is set to miss three months after undergoing surgery. Livramento's hamstring injury proved significant after a scan confirmed the full-back would miss the next eight weeks of action, according to Keith Downie of Sky Sports. Schar's absence looks to neatly coincide with the reintegration of fellow central defender Dan Burn who, in Newcastle's 2-0 defeat to Aston Villa, made the bench for the first time since December. Kieran Trippier has assumed the majority of minutes at right full-back in Livramento's absence.
In the Magpie midfield Joelinton (groin) is set to miss a matter of weeks, according to manager Eddie Howe: " He has had a scan, we don't think it is a bad injury, but we think he will be out for a few weeks. He will miss a few games." With Joelinton unavailable, look for Jacob Ramsey to retreat to the bench in favor of Bruno Guimaraes as the Brazilian lines up aside Sandro Tonali and Lewis Miley.
KEY MATCHUPS
Yoane Wissa versus Liverpool Central Defense
The form of Virgil van Dijk and the prowess of the Liverpool defensive unit is self-evident. The Reds have struggled to cope with pace with season, particularly when coming from the counterattack. With Nick Woltemade having logged 79 minutes in their midweek draw, look for Howe to inject Wissa's speed into the Magpie starting XI. In eight career Premier League appearances (four starts) versus Liverpool, the attacker has scored twice from an xG of 1.12.
Liverpool is likely to dominate possession at Anfield, presumably leaving space in-behind for the Newcastle counterattack. If the Liverpool defense contains is able to contain the fleet of foot Wissa, look for Howe to opt for a more direct approach late in the match by adding Woltemade to the fray.
Sandro Tonali & Florian Wirtz
Enjoy Saturday's fixture with an eye on the dueling midfield trios as they look to push the ball to the wings to create fortuitous attacking angles. Specifically, expect to see Tonali shadowing Wirtz as the Reds look to create space for their $157 million dollar attacker.
Tonali's ability to defend vast tracts of the pitch while maintaining positional awareness have made him one of the world's top holding-midfielders. Conversely, after a slow start to life in England, Wirtz has found his beat to the tune of five goals and two assists across his last 10 appearances (nine starts) in all competitions.
If Tonali is matched man-for-man versus Wirtz, look for Slot to devise a tactic by which Wirtz abdicates the center of the pitch to create direct passing lanes into striker Hugo Ekitike.
MAN OF THE MATCH
Anthony Gordon is likely to matchup against a midfielder turned full-back Saturday as the Reds weather their injury onslaught. However, the forward has yet to score a Premier League goal from open play through 18 appearances (16 starts), despite a 4.87 xG, according to premierleague.com.
If Newcastle are to earn points away from St. James' Park, I back Gordon to awake from his slumber and arise from his sleep to record his first Premier League goal contribution since mid-December.
RESULT
Liverpool 1 - Newcastle United 1
UPCOMING FIXTURES
Liverpool: Feb. 8 vs Manchester City
Newcastle United: Feb. 7 vs Brentford
