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Attendance: 53,318
Liverpool logo
Premier League | Gameweek 19
Dec 26, 2018 at 3pm UK
 
Newcastle logo

4-0

Lovren (11'), Salah (47' pen.), Shaqiri (79'), Fabinho (85')
FT(HT: 1-0)

How Liverpool could line up against Newcastle United

Sports Mole looks at how Premier League leaders Liverpool could line up for their Boxing Day clash with Newcastle United, which could see some key players rested.

Liverpool host Newcastle United on Boxing Day with a four-point gap now separating them from second-placed Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table.

An impressive 2-0 victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers at Molineux on Friday night ensured that they would be top on Christmas Day, but they were handed a further unexpected boost a day later when City fell to a shock home defeat at the hands of Crystal Palace.

Jurgen Klopp will be keen to avoid any complacency, though, as they welcome former manager Rafael Benitez back to Anfield.

Here, Sports Mole looks at how Liverpool could line up for the contest.



Possible LIV XI vs. NEW

Out: Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (knee), Joel Matip (shoulder), Joe Gomez (ankle)
Doubtful: Trent Alexander-Arnold (foot), Naby Keita (ribs)

Changes could be in the offing for Liverpool with Arsenal and Manchester City next up either side of New Year's Day, although whether Klopp opts to rest the likes of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane remains to be seen.

Salah has been playing as a central striker for much of the campaign and so is one of the more likely players to miss out due to the presence of Daniel Sturridge, despite scoring one and assisting another against Wolves last time out.

Other fringe players such as Adam Lallana, Xherdan Shaqiri and Nathaniel Clyne will be hopeful of starts too, although Trent Alexander-Arnold is nearing full fitness and could be in contention to return.

There are fewer options for rotation in defence with Joel Matip and Joe Gomez still sidelined, which means that Virgil van Dijk and Dejan Lovren are expected to continue at centre-back.

Naby Keita was in the wars against Wolves and, while he is back in training and expected to be available, Klopp could choose to rest him given his side's strength in depth in midfield.

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Xherdan Shaqiri channels David Brent after putting Liverpool back ahead during the Premier League game between Liverpool and Manchester United on December 16, 2018
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Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Arsenal35255585285780
2Manchester CityMan City34247382325079
3Liverpool35229477364175
4Aston Villa35207873522167
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs33186967521560
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd34166125251154
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle341651374551953
8West Ham UnitedWest Ham351310125665-949
9Chelsea33139116359448
10Bournemouth35139135260-848
11Wolverhampton WanderersWolves35137154855-746
12Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton341111125257-544
13Fulham35127165155-443
14Crystal Palace351010154557-1240
15Everton35128153748-1136
16Brentford3598185260-835
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3579194262-2026
18Luton TownLuton3567224877-2925
19Burnley3559213870-3224
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd3537253497-6316


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