Game Week 35 Predictions: Liverpool to beat Newcastle at St. James's Park

Mohammed Salah hasn't been in top form for Liverpool, is it time for him to raise his game? (Photo credit: ESPN)

 

Newcastle vs. Liverpool

St. James’s Park

12:30 pm

Who would have thought that Newcastle would be pushing for a top ten finish at this season stage, considering where they were on the log when Eddie Howe took over before Christmas?

Eddie Howe has done a great job in five months that Steve Bruce would consider sending a thank you note to the Newcastle hierarchy for sacking him in time, or does he probably think he’d have done the same or better with the funds available in the January window?

Liverpool wants to win the title; they don’t want to stop there; they’re aiming for an unprecedented quadruple, and having won the Carabao Cup, they’re in the FA Cup final, and they have one leg in the Champions League final after breaking down Unai Emery’s Villarreal on Wednesday, it is possible, right?

Liverpool will do their job at St. James’s Park and then hope Manchester City doesn’t win against Leeds United on Sunday. Liverpool are unbeaten in the last four fixtures away to Newcastle, that is enough confidence ahead of the game.

What is the fuel behind Newcastle’s passion so far? It must be the manager right? Or the players? Or the wealth around the club? Whatever it is, the fans would hope it doesn’t run dry soon with the summer in the offing and the possibilities ahead.

How will Liverpool line up? The Reds would rest some players ahead of the visit to Spain to negotiate the Yellow Submarines, but knowing their hosts would be more defensive than otherwise, they would be wise to take it one game at a time, they must win at Newcastle before dreaming of Villarreal.

Mohammed Salah hasn’t been as strong as he has been in times past, is this the time for him to justify the wages he’s demanding? Jurgen Klopp has signed a contract extension, the boys might just want to give him a gift for the extra two years he signed for.

Newcastle have nothing to lose, they have won the last seven home games and they will never be drawn into the relegation conversations anymore at least for this season, it is now a case of how well they finish and not if they would be here next season.

Expect the likes of Firminho and Diogo Jota to spearhead things in this fixture, Liverpool must win to keep the pace at the top, they would be league leaders at least for a little over five hours, until Manchester City plays.

Verdict: Straight win Liverpool