By Joel Lefevre

Still seeking their first Premier League triumph of 2026, Liverpool will welcome Newcastle United to Anfield on Saturday.  A dramatic 3-2 defeat versus Bournemouth last week has the Reds down to sixth in the table, three points above the Magpies, who are ninth following a 2-0 loss to Aston Villa.

Match Preview

They’ve been dominant in Europe this year, but anything but domestically as Liverpool enter this weekend winless in their last five matches played in this competition.  Arne Slot knows the firepower is there, as evidenced by his team winning their final two Champions League affairs by a combined 9-0 margin, but in the top-flight they’ve managed a goal or fewer in three of their five outings.

On Saturday Liverpool could fail to win each of their opening six league fixtures to begin a calendar year for the first time since 1954 (10), when they were last relegated. Since a 4-2 victory versus Bournemouth in their Premier League opener, the Reds haven’t scored more than twice in any of their last 10 top-flight home games, averaging 1.45 goals per game at Anfield this season, their lowest average since 2011-12 (1.26).

Don’t be surprised if we witness some late drama on Saturday with Liverpool scoring the most goals in the competition with fewer than 15 minutes remaining this season (13), while Newcastle have given up the second-most in that time span (12). The Reds are unbeaten in their previous 18 Premier League games against the club from The Toon, having won this exact fixture 2-0 last season.

Over at Newcastle, scoring has been an issue, with this team failing to net in their last two top-flight contests and having failed to win their previous three competitive fixtures versus English opposition. That lack of firepower has been evident away from St. James’ Park as this team have scored in just six Premier League away games this season, with only Wolves and Sunderland having a worse total at seven each.

Eddie Howe’s men earned a place in the knockout phase of the Champions League, but they currently sit four points below Manchester United for a spot in that tournament next season. They have dropped points in five of their previous six away matches across all competitions, failing to score in three of those games.

So far this season, they have yet to beat a team currently in the top six as the visitors, with their only such point coming in their season-opening 0-0 draw at Aston Villa. The Magpies have failed to win any of their last 29 Premier League away meetings with Liverpool, the joint longest winless run for them as the visitors against a single top-flight opponent, on par with a run of 29 games without a victory at Old Trafford against Man United from 1973 to 2012.

Team News

Jeremie Frimpong left early on in their lopsided 6-0 Champions League victory over Qarabag with an injury, while Joe Gomez, Giovanni Leoni and Conor Bradley are doubtful this weekend with knee issues. An ankle strain will keep Alexander Isak out of the fold on Saturday, while Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic are both unlikely to feature due to hamstring problems.

Mohamed Salah has been involved in 19 Premier League goals against Newcastle, more than any other side in this competition, while Dominik Szoboszlai and Virgil van Dijk netted in their defeat to the Cherries last weekend.

On the opposite side, Tino Livramento is doubtful for the Magpies with a sore hamstring, as well as Fabian Schär and Bruno Guimaraes, who have ankle issues. Joelinton was rested in their Champions League draw versus Paris Saint-Germain this week because of a groin strain, Jamaal Lascelles has a knock, and Emil Krafth is questionable after hurting his knee.

Guimaraes are two Newcastle players to be wary of, with the former making six line-breaking passes that have led to goals in the competition, while only Sunderland’s Granit Xhaka at eight has made more in the Premier League this season.

Predicted XI

Liverpool: Alisson; Ramsay, Konaté, van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, Jones; Szoboszlai, Salah, Wirtz; Ekitiké

Newcastle United: Pope; Trippier, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Miley, Willock, Elanga; Barnes, Wissa, Gordon

Pre-Match Verdict

Consistency has not been a strong suit for either side, but we believe the Magpies may be a little overwhelmed given their track record against the Reds, while they seem a little shellshocked in front of goal.

Prediction: Liverpool 1-0 Newcastle United.