The Gameweek gets underway with a storming fixture; at least that’s what BT Sport are flogging to us. Today’s early kick-off at St James’ Park “virtually guarantees” goals according to the history books and statistics. Certainly, when you consider that Liverpool bring their potent twin goalscoring threat to face a suspect Newcastle back four, without the steadying influence of Fabricio Coloccini, we have good reason to be optimistic.
Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge are strongly backed to add to their goal tallies, while Newcastle may well be forced to go on the attack as the most efficient form of defence given Coloccini’s absence.
The team news from the North East also suggests some cavalier football. Significantly, Alan Pardew’s thinly veiled hints that he would recall Hatem Ben Arfa to his lineup bear fruit as the Frenchman takes his place in what appears to be a Magpies front three in a 4-3-3 system – Papiss Cisse drops to the bench as his quest for goals struggles on. Mabou Yanga-Mbiwa is drafted back in in defence to fill the void left by the injured Newcastle skipper.
Brendan Rodgers also makes changes, although both are forced upon him. The twitter rumours on Lucas’ newborn and Jose Enrique’s knee knock are both confirmed as the pair miss out. Rodgers brings Glen Johnson straight in following his return from injury, while Aly Cissokho also starts on the opposite flank after recovering from his own recent ankle setback. It looks as thought the pair will be deployed as wing-backs in a 3-4-1-2, with Rodgers keeping faith with three centre halves; interestingly, Dan Agger remains on the bench.
As always, our Dugout Discussion Chatroom is now open to cater for your real-time needs and will remain open for the three o’clock kick-offs to follow.
