Sunday, May 03, 2009

Premier League Preview: Liverpool vs. Newcastle United

Liverpool enter game-week 35 of the Premier League sitting just three points off the top, although leaders Manchester United - who play Middlesbrough on Saturday - hold a game in hand. Nevertheless, the fact they are in with a shout as the season approaches its climax is a mini-triumph in itself for the Scousers.

With no cup competitions to fall back on, it is make or break for Rafael Benitez and his men as they plump for their first piece of silverware since 2006. They must win every remaining game and hope that their arch nemeses from up the East Lancs Road stumble down the straight.

Thus, anything less than three points against Newcastle United will all but end the Reds' campaign. However, given what occurred when these two teams last met, the home side will feel fairly confident of doing the job on Sunday afternoon.

For it was at St. James' Park in their last fixture of 2008 that 'Pool announced themselves as title contenders with a 5-1 demolition of their hosts. Such a result this weekend is not only possible, but downright likely, given the Merseysiders' tally of 23 goals in their last seven league games.

After a scrappy 3-1 victory at Hull City last time out, the 18-time English champions will hope to return to their fluent, fearful best as they meet a team fighting for their life in the top flight.

Its panic stations at Newcastle. With four games left this term, they sit three points shy of the safety zone in 18th place. They have not won in the league since early February, when they downed West Bromwich Albion 3-2 at the Hawthorns.

Last Monday's home clash against Portsmouth marked a golden opportunity to make up some ground on their fellow strugglers. However, the Magpies could only manage a goalless draw, much to the frustration of the 40,000-odd fans in attendance.

The north east club have picked up just two points since Alan Shearer took over as interim boss at the start of April. It will take something of a miracle for them to add to that tally when they visit Anfield this weekend - especially when you take a gander at the stats sheet.

Not only do Newcastle come up against arguably the form side in England at the moment, but they do so having managed just two away wins this term. Furthermore, they have won just once at Liverpool in the Premier League era - 15 years ago - and they haven't scored a single goal there since Patrick Kluivert netted in a 3-1 defeat back in 2004.

So the odds are stacked firmly against Shearer and his Toon Army, whose plight is made all the more perilous by a series of absentees, most notably in their already frail rearguard.


FORM GUIDE

Liverpool

Apr 25 Hull City 1-3 Liverpool
Apr 21 Liverpool 4-4 Arsenal
Apr 14 Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (Champions League)
Apr 11 Liverpool 4-0 Blackburn
Apr 08 Liverpool 1-3 Chelsea (Champions League)

Newcastle United

Apr 27 Newcastle 0-0 Portsmouth
Apr 19 Tottenham 1-0 Newcastle
Apr 11 Stoke City 1-1 Newcastle
Apr 04 Newcastle 0-2 Chelsea
Mar 21 Newcastle 1-3 Arsenal


TEAM NEWS

Liverpool

The big news for the Reds is that Steven Gerrard should start, having missed the last four games with a groin problem. Lucas Leiva is expected to make way for the captain, who will slot in behind Fernando Torres in attack.

Benitez faces something of a selection dilemma on the left flank. Yossi Benayoun's impressive form could see Albert Riera remain on the bench. Either Fabio Aurelio or the young Emiliano Insua could get the nod at left-back.

Probable XI: Reina; Arbeloa, Carragher, Skrtel, Insua; Mascherano, Alonso; Kuyt, Gerrard, Benayoun; Torres

Newcastle United

As if it couldn't get any worse for the Magpies, injuries to Steven Taylor and Jose Enrique now leave them stretched wafer-thin in defence. Hence, Damien Duff could be forced to play as an auxiliary left-back, while the last centre-halves standing are Sebastien Bassong and Fabricio Coloccini.

On the bright side, midfield bad-boy Joey Barton could return to the starting XI. Mystery shrouds Kevin Nolan and Ryan Taylor, both of whom were completely overlooked for the Pompey game; it is unknown if they earn a reprieve.

Probable XI: Harper; Beye, Coloccini, Bassong, Duff; Butt, Barton, Guthrie; Owen, Viduka, Martins


PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool

When the Reds ran riot on Tyneside earlier in the season, it was Steven Gerrard who did the vast majority of the damage. The skipper has returned from injury just in time to dish out some more punishment to the Geordies as he goes in search of a maiden Premier League medal.

Newcastle United

All eyes will be on Michael Owen as he returns to play in front of the Kop once more, but the Reds' rearguard should also mind Mark Viduka. The Australian, recently returned from injury, was pivotal in Newcastle's survival run last term and will take some of the pressure off his beleaguered captain.

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