On Boxing Day, Liverpool of Jürgen Klopp, leader of the Premier, could not on Sunday with West Brom, penultimate (1-1), and this Wednesday he wants to close 2020, the year in which he was proclaimed champion of England 30 years later , with a win against Newcastle at Saint James' Park. Anfield's men need this victory to get away from their new pursuer, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United, brand new second-placed in the English championship, 2 points behind the 'reds', after defeating Wolves (1-0) on Tuesday.
Klopp advanced this Tuesday, before taking on a Newcastle 15th in the table, that Thiago Alcántara will not reappear this Wednesday at Saint James' Park. The former Barcelona player has not played since last October 17, when he was injured against Everton after an entry by Richarlison. The coach, who does not want to take risks with the midfielder, said that Thiago is progressing in training, but explained that he will not play again until he has completed a few more preparatory sessions.
“On Friday Thiago did the full training with the team, but it was a reduced session. It is not about training one day with the group and you can already play in the Premier. It's going well but I can't say more. I don't know, ”said Klopp, who prefers to go step by step regarding the return of the player who arrived in the summer market from Bayern.
Klopp regrets Sunday's 1-1 against West Brom, but is clear that “this can no longer be changed, what it is about is not to repeat itself if we find ourselves in the same situation again.” Liverpool was not able to take advantage of his chances to sentence the match against Sam Allardyce's men.
This Wednesday at Saint James ’Park the German coach has two more casualties due to injury, those of Joel Matip and Naby Keita. Everything indicates that Rhys Williams may be the replacement for the German defender of German origin in the defense axis, but with options also for Nat Phillips.
Newcastle-Liverpool
Saint James ’Park, 21.00 (DAZN)
Newcastle: Darlow; Manquillo, Fede Fernández, Schär, Clark, Lewis; Ritchie, Longstaff, Hayden, Joelinton; Wilson
Liverpool: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Rhys Williams, Fabinho, Robertson; Oxlade-Chamberlain, Henderson, Wijnaldum; Salah, Minamino and Mané
Referee: Paul Tierney