Newcastle United vs Liverpool predicted line-ups: Who will start in huge early season clash?

Newcastle United host Liverpool at St. James’ Park in a massive Sunday game that could tell us a great deal about who will be making the top four this season – and both sides go in to the match with some intriguing selection questions.

Eddie Howe used the same XI in the 1-0 defeat to Manchester City that had so convincingly beaten Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season, but with the front line failing to find a goal it’s possible that players who have been on the bench so far, such as Harvey Barnes and Callum Wilson, get a chance to show what they can do.

Liverpool, meanwhile, have still yet to settle on their opening line and had a couple of players come off with bumps and bruises when they beat Bournemouth 3-1 last weekend. They also have new signing Wataru Endo on the books and potentially ready to start the game.

Let’s take a look at how both teams could line up and check in on the latest injury news.

Newcastle United

The good news for Howe is that the Magpies have no fresh injury headaches to worry about. Emil Krafth and Joe Willock are definitely out with long-term injuries, while Javier Manquillo could return to fitness in time to feature should he be needed.

Newcastle also have new signing Lewis Hall ready to stake a claim for Dan Burn’s starting spot at left-back, although it’s more likely that he makes his debut from the bench given that his signing was only confirmed in midweek.

The big question is whether £40m winger Barnes or centr-forward Wilson get the nod – and the former Leicester man, in particular, has made a strong case for inclusion so far.

Full predicted line-up

Pope; Trippier, Schär, Botman, Burn; Tonali, Bruno, Joelinton; Almirón, Isak, Barnes.

Liverpool

Unlike his counterpart, Jürgen Klopp does have to fret over the fitness of some of last week’s starting line-up. Both Luis Díaz and Trent Alexander-Arnold came off with knocks, but have thankfully been pictured in training this week. They are both expected to be fit as it stands.

Curtis Jones, however, is not expected to return to the first team just yet and hasn’t trained so far this week as he comes back from an ankle injury. It had been speculated that Thiago Alcântara could be in line for his first appearance of the season, but it seems to be touch and go at best – Klopp has said that he is “really close” to returning, but Sunday may come too soon.

Injury concerns aside, the improved attacking display against Bournemouth could see the front line stay the same, while Endo is likely to make his full debut in the holding midfield role after coming on as a second-half substitute last time out. Alexis Mac Allister, who was sent off during the game against the Cherries, will be available after his red card suspension was lifted.

Full predicted line-up

Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konaté, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Jota, Díaz.