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Liverpool will look to keep pace with high-flying Premier League leader Manchester City, when the Reds host struggling Newcastle at Anfield on Thursday.
Pressure is on the Reds to match Man City, which has won seven in a row. Liverpool (2nd, 37 points) is just four points back and on a five-game Premier League win streak of its own since November’s shocking defeat to West Ham, the Reds’ only loss of their league season thus far.
At the other end of the table, Eddie Howe may only be four games into his Newcastle managerial tenure, but there is a real sense of urgency given they’re mired in a relegation battle and they’re coming off a 4-0 drubbing at the hands of Leicester City. Still, the Magpies (19th, 10 points) have earned four points in four matches under Howe, a decent haul considering the club was on six points — all from draws — in the 12 matches prior to his hire. They’re three points from the safe zone entering the match.
MORE: Pep beats Klopp’s record in lopsided win
Sporting News will be following the match live and providing score updates, commentary and highlights as they happen.
Liverpool vs. Newcastle live score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| Liverpool | — | — | — |
| Newcastle | — | — | — |
Goals: None
(All times Eastern)
1:30 p.m. ET: Here’s one player who’d love to get in on the scoring action. The six games without a goal or assist is across all competitions.
Sadio Mane is currently on a streak of 6 games without a goal or assist, which is 1 off his longest run without a goal contribution for Liverpool, when he went 7 games in October and November of 2018.
Can he turn it around tonight against Newcastle? pic.twitter.com/YS2RQIR0XH
— Anfield Edition (@AnfieldEdition) December 16, 2021
11:48 a.m. ET: Liverpool’s scoring today, right? Only question is how many:
? STAT: Liverpool have scored in 25 consecutive home matches against Newcastle – a Premier League-record run, while they have found the net in 38 of the last 39 in the top flight at Anfield. #awlive [lfc] pic.twitter.com/ObVNjy548V
— Anfield Watch (@AnfieldWatch) December 16, 2021
Liverpool vs. Newcastle lineups
Only Nat Phillips, Curtis Jones, and Harvey Elliott are confirmed out with injuries for Liverpool. Divock Origi and Roberto Firmino have missed time of late, but both are back in training and could be available for selection, though likely as subs. We’ll see if Jurgen Klopp spells any players, potentially Mo Salah, who’s played every minute this year.
Liverpool projected starting lineup (4-3-3, left to right): Alisson (GK) — Robertson, Van Dijk, Matip, Alexander-Arnold — Fabinho, Henderson, Keita — Mane, Jota, Salah
Liverpool subs (9): (Starting lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
Paul Dummett is the only injured Magpie, having yet to feature this season thanks to a long-term calf injury. With Ciaran Clark back from suspension, Newcastle could get back to a five-man back line that Howe used earlier this season. If he opts for that formation, Matt Ritchie get another look, which would likely see Jamal Lewis fall to the bench.
Newcastle projected starting lineup (4-2-3-1, left to right): Dubravka (GK) — Clark, Lascelles, Schar — Ritchie, Willock, Shelvey, Manquillo — Saint-Maximin, Wilson, Joelinton
Newcastle subs (9): (Starting lineups released one hour prior to kickoff)
How to watch Liverpool vs. Newcastle
- Date: Thursday, Dec. 16
- Time: 3 p.m. ET
- TV Channel: — None —
- Streaming: Peacock (subscription required)
The Liverpool vs. Newcastle match is available exclusively on NBC’s streaming platform, Peacock, with no television coverage in the United States.
The subscription to Peacock Premium costs users $4.99 a month and it comes with a full schedule of exclusive Premier League matches.
Pre-match betting lines, picks & predictions
Odds courtesy of DraftKings
The bookmakers are eyeing a blowout in this one, and understandably so. Liverpool has obliterated almost everyone in its wake this season…until recently.
The Reds fell to West Ham in early November, and a few weaknesses have sprung up since then. They bounced back wonderfully, putting four goals past each of Arsenal, Southampton, and Everton, but they have slogged to a pair of 1-0 wins in their last two matches against defensively stout teams in Wolves and Aston Villa.
Newcastle cannot claim to categorize itself as “defensively stout” as the Magpies haven’t kept a single clean sheet this entire Premier League season. Still, this could be an opportunity for Klopp to rest some tired legs. However, it does appear possible to take advantage of the oddsmakers love for Liverpool and jump on a few plus odds in favor of Newcastle keeping things close, while still expecting Liverpool to come away with all three points.
Backing Mohamed Salah also seems ideal, with the Egyptian in spectacular form. Salah has scored or assisted a goal in every single Premier League game this season save one from way back in August. His anytime-scorer odds are worthless, but first-goalscorer odds look enticing enough, especially if Klopp again selects Oxlade-Chamberlain as the central striker. If Jota returns to the lineup, he is one to eye as well, having scored six goals in his last eight starts.
Pick: Newcastle +2.5 (-105), Salah first goalscorer (+200)
Prediction: Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle
- Moneyline: Liverpool -900 / Draw +950 / Newcastle +2200
- Spread: Liverpool -2.5 (-105) / Newcastle +2.5 (-105)
- O/U 3.5 total goals: Over -130 / Under +105
- Both teams to score: Yes +110 / No -145
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