Premier LeagueNewcastle United v Liverpool: Team news
Arne Slot reported no fresh injury concerns while Eddie Howe provided an update on the fitness of Alexander Isak on the eve of Liverpool’s visit to Newcastle United.
The Premier League leaders travel to St. James’ Park on Wednesday night and will be without Conor Bradley and Ibrahima Konate after the defenders sustained issues during the recent win over Real Madrid.
Both players missed Sunday’s victory against Manchester City and will, according to Slot following that game, be sidelined for ‘a few weeks’.
Newcastle boss Howe, meanwhile, told his pre-match press conference on Tuesday morning that forward Isak is yet to train after he was forced off during their 1-1 draw at Crystal Palace last weekend.
Howe said: “Alex took a knock to his hip. We haven’t seen him in training yet, but we don’t think it’s a long-term injury.”
Liverpool left-back Kostas Tsimikas is also unlikely to be available, while Diogo Jota has not played since picking up an injury when Chelsea were beaten at Anfield in October.
Head coach Slot was asked during his own media briefing on Tuesday whether injuries mean he must be creative with his defensive cover options.
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Watch on YouTube“So, last weekend against City, we didn’t think it was smart to play Trent [Alexander-Arnold] for 90 minutes after his injury,” he replied.
“That’s probably going to be the same tomorrow and on Saturday as well, so then we have to be creative – and for me Jarell [Quansah] playing over there is not so creative [because] he is able to play there.
“Maybe for whatever reason, if we need Jarell as a centre-back because if one of the centre-backs cannot continue the game, then we need to be even more creative.”
Caoimhin Kelleher will again deputise for Alisson Becker on Wednesday but Slot expects the Brazilian to be fit again before the end of the year.
He said: “We are just waiting for the moment that Alisson is completely fit because Caoimh is doing too well to put Alisson in goal if he is only on 50 per cent [fitness] and that would not be good for Alisson and not be good for the team.
“He’s getting there. It might take a few more extra days but he’s getting closer and closer and like I’ve always said the end phase of rehab is always the period where you feel like, ‘OK, is he really there or does he need a few extra days?’
“But he will be in goal before the end of December if things continue like they are.”
Slot also confirmed Federico Chiesa is back in team training, while Harvey Elliott made his return from injury as a late substitute versus City.
Alexis Mac Allister is one yellow card away from receiving a one-match suspension in the Premier League. Newcastle duo Joelinton and Fabian Schar are in the same situation.
Magpies defender Dan Burn is set to be available, with Howe saying: “Dan got through the [Palace] game well. When he got suspended, we used that as an opportunity to look after his ankle and get himself fit.
“He was outstanding against Crystal Palace and he came through the game OK.”
However, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth and Jamal Lascelles are all out for Newcastle.
On the challenge of facing Slot’s in-form side, Howe stated: “Liverpool are very good, very strong – what a week they have had against Real Madrid and Manchester City.
“Players are playing well. We are going to need to put in a good defensive performance and pose them questions going forward as well.”
Last match
Liverpool 2-0 Man City (December 1): Kelleher, Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson, Szoboszlai, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Gakpo, Diaz.
Palace 1-1 Newcastle (November 30): Pope, Livramento, Schar, Burn, Hall, Tonali, Guimaraes, Willock, Joelinton, Isak, Gordon.
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