Newcastle United vs. Liverpool: How Arne Slot should set team up in Premier League clash amid Florian Wirtz debate

Arne Slot must consider strengthening his midfield if he is to guide Liverpool to victory against Newcastle United on Monday, Reds expert David Lynch has argued.

The champions won 4-2 against Bournemouth in their opening Premier League game of the season on August 15, and while they team excelled in attack, the Merseysiders were vulnerable defensively.

Number 10 Florian Wirtz had a mixed evening, and though he worked hard - he covered the third most distance (11km) of any player but was taken off in the 82nd minute - there are fears that Newcastle could exploit his offensive tendencies during counter-attacks.

Lynch suggested that it could be wise to restore the first-choice midfield three from 2024-25 and move Wirtz to left-wing, when he told Sports Mole: "We're going to learn an awful lot from this game from the selection because it's been said to me Wirtz could move into the frontline as a rotational option.

"I feel the Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Gravenberch trio is more solid as a midfield, and it makes you think in these big games, these tough away games where you've got to be really solid, do we see Wirtz off the left-hand side? Nobody knows the answer to that outside of Slot and his coaches.

"This is the litmus test for how Slot approaches [big games] and whether he is willing to break up that midfield from last season and add the extra quality that Wirtz brings. I don't know the answer, so I can't wait to see what the starting XI looks like."

Ryan Gravenberch is sure to return to the team considering he is now eligible to feature after serving a suspension against Bournemouth, but starting Wirtz on the left would require Cody Gakpo to be dropped.

Will Liverpool struggle with Newcastle United's midfield at St James' Park?

Newcastle striker Alexander Isak has been at the centre of a transfer saga involving Liverpool, and the forward will play no part on Monday amid speculation linking him to Anfield.

Magpies supporters are sure to create a fervent atmosphere, and they will hope that midfielders Joelinton, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes can channel the energy from the crowd onto the pitch.

Lynch admitted that he has concerns about the physical challenges the Reds will be faced with, telling Sports Mole: "Newcastle are so physical, and I wonder whether the players will buy into this [Isak saga] as much as the fans who are on social media have.

"Newcastle will be fully committed. The atmosphere the fans they will create in the stands will definitely be heightened, and I'm sure that will feed into the players and make it more difficult, because they're already a very direct, physical side.

"I'm not sure Joelinton is going to be any different to how he usually is, which is that he will commit six or seven fouls without somehow getting a yellow card, and that's a given for him."

Liverpool struggled to cope with Newcastle's intensity at St James' Park in the corresponding fixture in December 2024, drawing 3-3 with the Toon away from home.

Would Arne Slot accept a draw against Newcastle?

Considering Newcastle also beat Liverpool in the EFL Cup final last term, some supporters are fearful that Slot's side could experience their first defeat of the new Premier League campaign.

A point at St James' Park is not necessarily a bad result given the Toon's quality, but the Reds may feel they have to give themselves momentum heading into matchweek three against Arsenal.

Speaking to Sports Mole, Lynch insisted that Liverpool are good enough to claim victory, though was pessimistic about their chances, saying: "They absolutely can win there. They're a better side than Newcastle, as good as Newcastle are, even though they beat them in the cup final.

"With the quality that Liverpool have got, they absolutely can go and win there. I'm just not sure they will. I would take a draw because the atmosphere [will be tense]. Newcastle might feel hurt about the fact that their best player wants to go and join Liverpool and it's the champions turning up.

"I'd shake hands on a draw now, and then if you can go into the Arsenal game that follows that and win that, it looks like a really good return from those first three fixtures."

Arsenal may feel that they do not have to win at Anfield if Liverpool drop points against Newcastle, meaning a draw on Monday could put pressure on Slot to beat the Gunners.

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