Klopp has made four changes from the mid-week trip to Camp Nou for tonight’s meeting with Rafa’s Newcastle United. There will be no love lost with our old boss, though.
Unfortunately, Roberto Firmino misses out due to the muscle strain he has sustained, which means that Daniel Strurridge comes in to replace him. Again, we’ll miss Bobby’s industry and unerring eye for goal, but we’ll have to make do with our available options this evening.
Studge started the Huddersfield game last week too, so it’s back-to-back league starts for the 29-year-old. He’s only made three league starts all season! He’ll be tasked with leading the line this evening and operating as the focal point of attack for Sadio Mané and Mohamed Salah.
Seven career league goals for Sturridge against Newcastle, five of them at St James’ Park. Scored twice the last time #LFC won there, all the way back in 2013.
— Neil Jones (@neiljonesgoal) May 4, 2019
In midfield, there’s a welcome return for Jordan Henderson after he unfortunately had to replace the injured Naby Keïta in the Barcelona game. We think that he’ll have that added desire to smash Newcastle as a former Sunderland man!
Equally, Gini Wijnaldum – a former Magpie – will probably want to show off to his former employers. The Dutchman will be back in a more conventional midfield role though, as opposed to the rather more advanced position Klopp had him in against Barça.
It’s the defence that has more of a mid-season flavour thanks to another start handed to Dejan Lovren who played the full 90 minutes in our last league outing.
Joël Matip has performed more than admirably in his stead so the Croatian will want to put down a further stamp this evening and show Klopp what he’s been missing from his injury-prone defender.
🔴 TEAM NEWS 🔴
Our line-up to face @NUFC.#NEWLIV
— Liverpool FC (@LFC) May 4, 2019
Trent Alexander-Arnold takes over right-back duties from Joe Gomez’s Catalan cameo down our right flank. We’ll probably need his added offensive qualities and crosses for a Rafa side that could elect to sit back against us.
It’s very much a filip for the lads to Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain back on the substitutes’ bench after he came on in the Huddersfield game. A start was probably pushing it too much, but we hope the lad can come on and get some minutes (and maybe a goal) under his belt.