Liverpool look to put the pressure on their rivals with victory over a resurgent Newcastle United as the battle to qualify for next season’s Champions League intensifies.
A top four place is still up for grabs for the Reds, who drew with Leeds on Monday, but without the European Super League, the champions are at risk of failing to return to the top competition in European football.
Steve Bruce has now guided the Magpies eight points clear of the drop zone, which should be enough now to confirm their top flight status for another season.
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But he will also be keen to build on this form heading into the summer to validate his credentials as the man to lead this club next season and beyond.
Here’s everything you need to know before the match.
When is the match?
The game kicks off at 12:30pm on Saturday, 24 April.
Where can I watch it?
The match will be televised live on BT Sport 1 and BT Sport Ultimate, coverage starts at 11:30 BST.
What is the team news?
Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Joel Matip and Jordan Henderson remain long-term absences, with Nat Phillips set to miss out with a hamstring problem that forced him out of the Leeds game. Curtis Jones could return after nearing a full recovery from a muscle injury.
Mohamed Salah should return to the XI after starting on the bench at Elland Road, which means Roberto Firmino or Diogo Jota could miss out from the start here.
Bruce is still without Jamaal Lascelles (foot), Isaac Hayden (knee), Karl Darlow (knee) and Ryan Fraser (groin), with Fabian Schar (knee) a big doubt. Callum Wilson “perfectly OK” and Allan Saint-Maximin also passed fit after picking up an ankle injury.
Confirmed line ups
Liverpool: Alisson, Alexander-Arnold, Fabinho, Kabak, Robertson, Thiago, Wijnaldum, Salah, Jota, Mane, Firmino
Newcastle: Dubravka, Murphy, Fernandez, Clark, Dummett, Ritchie, Sean Longstaff, Shelvey, Almiron, Saint-Maximin, Joelinton
Prediction
Newcastle have that edge now and look primed to survive after their recent run of three games unbeaten and back-to-back wins. But Liverpool need this more given Steve Bruce’s side have an eight-point cushion and a game in hand over Fulham, so we’ll lean towards Liverpool to get back to winning ways after a turbulent week. Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle.
Odds
Liverpool: 1/5
Draw: 5/1
Newcastle: 10/1
