Liverpool Defeat Bournemouth 4-0, Now Face Unfriendly Newcastle Test
LIVERPOOL, England – Liverpool began their Premier League campaign with a dominant 4-0 victory over Bournemouth on Saturday, fueled by goals from hugo Ekitike, mohamed salah, and a late winner from substitute Federico Chiesa. The win sets the stage for a challenging away fixture against Newcastle United next, a match Liverpool manager Arne Slot anticipates will be fiercely contested.
The match saw summer signing Hugo Ekitike open his Liverpool account, scoring his first goal and providing his first assist to contribute to a 2-0 lead for the Reds. Chiesa sealed the victory in the 88th minute, while Salah marked his first goal of the year with a strike in second-half stoppage time.(See image above: Mohamed Salah celebrates scoring Liverpool’s fourth goal against Bournemouth.)
However, the focus now shifts to the upcoming trip to St. James’ Park, where Liverpool historically faces a arduous challenge. Slot acknowledged the intensity of Newcastle, even autonomous of recent media attention surrounding striker Alexander Isak.”Nothing to do with anything that’s in the media a lot, but I think if you go to Newcastle, you know what to expect,” Slot stated. ”We’ve played them three times last season, and twice their intensity levels were above ours. In the away game, especially the first 60 minutes, they were so, so, so intense. They were fully deserved [of a point].”
Liverpool’s recent record against Newcastle is mixed. Newcastle secured a 2-1 victory over Liverpool in the Carabao Cup final in March. the teams played to a 3-3 draw at St. James’ Park last season, tho Liverpool won the corresponding league fixture at Anfield 2-0.
Past Context: A Long-Standing Rivalry
This upcoming match will be the 189th meeting between Liverpool and Newcastle United.Historically, Liverpool has dominated the fixture, with 93 wins compared to Newcastle’s 50. However, newcastle’s recent form, especially at home, has presented a significant hurdle for the Reds. Newcastle hasn’t defeated liverpool in the league since a 2-0 home win in December 2015, but Liverpool has won 12 of the 17 fixtures between the clubs since then.
Team News & Predicted Lineups
Newcastle will be without key striker Alexander Isak for the match. Though, the Magpies could see the return of Joe Willock from a calf problem, or else boasting a largely fit squad. New signing Jacob ramsey, acquired from aston Villa, is also in contention for a debut.
Liverpool, simultaneously occurring, will be without new signing Jeremie Frimpong due to a hamstring injury sustained after the international break. Conor Bradley has returned to full training, but Joe Gomez remains a doubt following a recent knock.
Predicted Newcastle Starting Lineup: Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; guimaraes, Tonali, joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.
Predicted Liverpool Starting Lineup: Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
