Newcastle vs Liverpool Predicted Lineup
The late goals against Swansea in the Capitol One Cup mid-week was uplifting for the Reds, if anything. Brendan Rodgers’ Reds gave a good account of themselves against a resilient Swansea side who were prepared to wait out the game. With one eye on the trip to the Bernebeu on Tuesday, Rodgers’ travels to St. James’ Park to face Alan Pardew’s Newcastle who have seen a change in fortunes recently. Here is how the Reds might line-up :-
Formation : 4-4-2 (Diamond)
Simon Mignolet
The Belgian picks himself in the team as the undisputed first-choice keeper at Melwood. A week’s rest ought to have done the Belgian some good as the heads back to the line-up after many critics questioning his command as a top-flight goal-keeper.
Javier Manquillo
The 20 year old was one of the brighter players in a Red shirt against the Swans. Squaring up against the lightning quick Jefferson Montero, Manquillo put in a performance worthy of a lot of praise. He keeps his place in the starting .
Martin Skrtel
The Slovakian centre-half is Liverpool’s best centre-half bar none. Having got a dereved rest mid-week, Skrtel would be expected to slot right back into the back-four against a resurgent Newcastle side.
Dejan Lovren
If the winner against Swansea would have done anything for Lovren, it would be that the Croat would have gained a whole of confidence from it. After enduring a difficult start to his Liverpool career, Lovren will look to use that goal to spark his stuttering Reds career.
Alberto Moreno
Despite having a pretty good game at left-back, Glen Johnson would most likely make way for young Alberto Moreno in the left full-back position. The pacey Spaniard will slot straight back into the back-four and look to upturn his for that seems to be going downhill lately.
Steven Gerrard
The skipper will come back into the starting 11 in his deep lying playmaker position for the Newcastle game. The 34 year-old English international will look to carry on the good work the Reds midfield put in against the Swans when they take on the Magpies.
Joe Allen
Welsh midfielder Joe Allen will most probably sit beside Gerrard in midfield and control the midfield. After having missed out on the Swans game mid-week, Allen would be expected to start against Newcastle as the Reds look to get their campaign back on track.
Emre Can
The young German midfielder will continue to hold down his Premier League starting spot for the 3rd week running. Can adds another dimension to the Reds midfield and will eventually be a vital cog in the Reds midfield for years to come.
Adam Lallana
After a bright couple of weeks, the spark of the creative midfielder kind of died down. However, against a stubborn Newcastle side, Lallana’s creativity might just be the key to getting the 3 points away from home.
Fabio Borini
A determined performance against Swansea mid-week to say the least will ensure the Italian striker holds his spot in the XI against Newcastle. Still a long way from proving his critics wrong, at least Borini has started out on the right note.
Mario Balotelli
Mario Balotelli is an enigmatic striker who on his day can take on any defence in the world, Reds fans will be hoping his days come more often than they have recently. A goal against Swansea must ease up the pressure on the Italian and give him the space he needs to start hitting the back of the net regularly.