Liverpool vs Newcastle United: Undefeated Toon Army Take On Improving Reds
Wednesday 31st August - 20:00
Jurgen Klopp’s side had surprised many with their rather misfiring start to the current Premier League season, with only two points to show from their first three games of the season, but Liverpool came back with a bang, and poor Bournemouth were the sacrificial lambs that were duly put to the slaughter.
So, did that morale-boosting thrashing of the Cherries improve the market in terms of Premier League betting on the Reds? Well, probably, but there are seemingly still some issues Klopp may need to address before the transfer window slams shut.
Goals Galore
Draws with Fulham and Crystal Palace were hard to take, but in all honesty, Liverpool didn’t play too poorly in either encounter (and were down to ten men for much of the clash with the Eagles), but the manner in which they performed at Manchester United will certainly have left Klopp wondering where things were going wrong.
The 9-0 drubbing of Bournemouth clearly boosts the morale at Anfield but doesn’t solve the riddle of why they aren’t anywhere near the levels they have reached in recent seasons. It would appear that the loss of Sadio Mane has some part to play in their lacklustre start to the campaign, even if scoring goals isn’t an issue.
The Senegalese was not only a great forward but also a strong presence in the dressing room, and there is one big factor to take into account, and that’s motivation. Liverpool came very close, incredibly so, to securing an incredible quadruple. Failing in that feat was always going to knock the team’s confidence.
At half-time in the final game of the Premier League season, Man City were losing to Aston Villa, and Liverpool could see the title trophy on the horizon, but somewhat predictably, Pep Guardiola’s men fought back to clinch a fourth championship in five seasons.
Then Liverpool had to regroup for the Champions League final, but that piece of illustrious silverware was also snatched from their grasp thanks to a truly inspirational display from Real Madrid keeper Thibaut Courtois. So even though 2021/22 saw Liverpool win both the FA and EFL Cups, it will still have felt like something of a failure for the players.
Then take into account the small gap between the end of last season and the start of this and remember that Liverpool took part in an astounding 63 competitive matches last season, and it’s then pretty clear that Klopp has a squad of players that is still feeling the effects of last season’s travails.
This game at home to Newcastle United will represent a real challenge, and coming just a few days after their win on Saturday might make this even more of a tough encounter.
Toon Army Match On
Eddie Howe’s side looks very hard to beat, and their epic 3-3 draw with Man City will have left his players feeling as if they really are capable of making a big impact in the Premier League, and a trip to Merseyside will not daunt them.
Since the turn of the year, Newcastle United have been in title-winning form, and they remain undefeated this term; and their attack, especially Allan Saint-Maximin, will be pushing the Liverpool back-line very hard in this fixture.
The club have invested wisely in recent transfer windows, and the latest capture, Swedish forward Alexander Isak, adds further quality to Howe’s squad, and the tall striker will hope to be in the running to play in this one, but his work permit may not be processed in time.
Howe will have to manage expectations to some degree and also has to work out how best to integrate new additions, but thus far, he’s managed to do this very well indeed. So much so that hopes of a top-six finish don’t seem all that outrageous anymore.
Best Bets
Liverpool and Newcastle United to Draw - 5/1
The odds on a draw make this bet well worth considering. Anfield may not feel much like a fortress if the Palace stalemate is anything to go by, but Liverpool does, on the whole, overcome all before them on their patch.
Newcastle United have shown they are hard to beat, and as far as decent bets are concerned for this fixture, it’s one that could be worth backing.
