Virgil van Dijk and Stefan Bajcetic will start when Liverpool take on Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Saturday.
Liverpool managed to beat Newcastle United earlier this season. And the Reds will hope to complete a league double over the Magpies when the two teams meet at St. James’ Park. With UEFA Champions League qualification at stake, Liverpool cannot afford to drop points against their top four rivals.
So the players will be expected to step up and produce a match-winning performance here. The visitors have been handed a major fitness boost, with key defender Virgil van Dijk expected to return to the starting lineup here.
During his pre-match press conference, Jurgen Klopp confirmed that the Dutchman looked ready in training, and he should be back in action against Newcastle. “I think so,” he said, before continuing, Yesterday he looked absolutely ready. I think today he will look the same and then we make a decision.”
Meanwhile, Thiago Alcantara has been sidelined for a few weeks with a hip injury. Luis Diaz, Ibrahima Konate and Calvin Ramsay are expected to miss out as well. Diaz has resumed light training and will be expected to return to action in the coming weeks.
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Meanwhile, Ramsay has been ruled out for the remainder of the season following his recent surgery. Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota returned as substitutes against Everton, and they are set to be a part of the squad here. However, the duo is unlikely to start.
“Same squad [as against Everton], nothing happened. Who could have come back since then? Ibou not yet, Luis not yet but that’s it pretty much,” the boss stated. Nothing happened on the injury side. Thiago, not available. Calvin had surgery, not available. But that’s it.”
Klopp is likely to field his side in a 4-3-3 formation, with Alisson Becker in goal. Trent Alexander-Arnold and Andrew Robertson will continue as the full-backs. Both players helped create a number of chances against Everton. And Liverpool will need their creativity against a stubborn Newcastle defence.
Meanwhile, Virgil van Dijk is set to return to the starting lineup alongside Joel Matip at the heart of the defence. Meanwhile, Fabinho is set to be deployed as the defensive midfielder here. And the Brazilian will hope to win the ball back for his side and break up the Newcastle United play.
Youngster Stefan Bajcetic produced an excellent display against Everton and the 18-year-old is set to be handed another start here. Club captain Jordan Henderson is set to start in the absence of Thiago.
The front three that started against Everton is likely to retain its place here. Cody Gakpo will look to add to his goal-scoring tally against Newcastle United, with Darwin Nunez and Mohamed Salah lining up as the wide forwards here.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, van Dijk, Robertson; Henderson, Fabinho, Bajcetic; Salah, Gakpo, Nunez
