The Premier League schedule gets much worse for Newcastle United before it gets better.
The Magpies were beaten 4-0 against Leicester City in the first of four really tough festive fixtures and they won’t need a reminder of who they’ve got next.
For anyone who doesn’t know, Eddie Howe takes his side to Anfield in their next game, on Thursday night, as they look to pick themselves up from the floor.
Liverpool go into the Newcastle clash in fine form after winning seven in a row in all competitions and, to make it worse, they are yet to lose at home this season.
Magpies supporters travelling to Anfield on Thursday will be fully aware of the capabilities of Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Diogo Jota and are equally aware that it could get quite ugly.
Considering all the contributing factors, Howe’s side are being written off before a ball has even been kicked on Merseyside and it isn’t hard to see why.
That is especially true of the Premier League pundits who have been tasked with predicting the outcome of all of this week’s matches.
We have taken a look at what they have had to say about Newcastle’s trip to face Liverpool.
Mark Lawrenson – BBC Sport
Like most people who have watched both sides recently, Mark Lawrenson doesn’t have much hope for the Magpies on Thursday evening.
“When you consider Liverpool's attacking power and think about Newcastle's weakness at the back, then there is only going to be one outcome, really,” he said in his BBC Sport predictions.
“We saw again in their heavy defeat against Leicester what a big job Magpies manager Eddie Howe has on his hands to keep them up, and I can't see them getting a result here that will help them out much there.”
Prediction : Liverpool 3-0 Newcastle United
Michael Owen – BetVictor
Ex-Newcastle striker Michael Owen is expecting the Magpies to have more joy in front of goal than Lawrenson but still anticipates a rather comfortable victory for one of his other former sides.
He said: “Villa frustrated Liverpool for long periods at Anfield, but the win was all that mattered. They are really building up a head of steam and they’ll be eyeing a few goals here that’s for sure.
“After that huge win over Burnley, I thought Newcastle had turned a corner. They haven’t. That was a disaster against Leicester and defensively they were shocking. Eddie Howe will be desperate to get to January and hopefully get a few more players in.
“I can only see this going one way.”
Prediction : Liverpool 3-1 Newcastle United
Paul Merson – Sportskeeda
Of all the pundits to pass judgement on the outcome of this clash, Paul Merson has predicted the heaviest defeat for Thursday’s visitors.
“Newcastle United need to get this game out of the way,” he told Sportskeeda. “They got absolutely slaughtered by Leicester City the other day and obviously wouldn't want something like that to happen against Liverpool.
“This is a horrible game for them and I can't see anything other than a Liverpool win, so I think the home side will prevail 4-0.
“After Liverpool, Newcastle play the two Manchester clubs back-to-back in the Premier League, oh gosh that is a horrible run of fixtures for Eddie Howe and co. They are in major trouble and just need to make sure they hang in there and not get their confidence shot.
“Judging based on their fixtures, they aren't going to get a single Premier League point from their next three games, so they'll need the teams around them to go on bad runs and do them a favour.”
Prediction : Liverpool 4-0 Newcastle United
