Liverpool XI vs. Newcastle: Van Dijk Gets Konate Boost—Injury News, Predicted Lineup

After five Premier League matches without victory, Liverpool must make significant improvements for Saturday clash with Newcastle United at Anfield.

Four successive draws and the defeat to Bournemouth piled further pressure on Arne Slot, though that has been somewhat eased by emphatic European wins over Marseille and Qarabağ. The Reds enter the weekend in sixth having been leapfrogged by Manchester United and Chelsea.

The reverse fixture between Liverpool and Newcastle produced fireworks as Rio Ngumoha was an unlikely hero in a 3–2 win, with Slot hopeful of a similar outcome but more convincing result this Saturday.

Match Snapshot

🕒 Kick-off time: 8 p.m. GMT, 3 p.m. ET, 12 p.m. PT
📍 Location: Anfield
🏆 Competition: Premier League
📊 Recent form: DDDDL

Team News

Liverpool defender Jeremie Frimpong — Jeremie Frimpong has joined the absentee list. | Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside/Getty Images

⚠️ Key absentees, doubts: Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Jeremie Frimpong
🔢 Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Liverpool’s injury issues were exacerbated by Jeremie Frimpong’s fourth-minute withdrawal in Wednesday’s 6–0 thrashing of Qarabağ. The Dutchman is certain to miss the weekend as Liverpool assess the severity of his problem.

Frimpong joins fellow right back Conor Bradley on the sidelines, the Northern Irishman out for the season, while there are issues at centre back, too. Giovanni Leoni will also miss the remainder of campaign with an ACL tear and Joe Gomez is absent for the clash with Newcastle despite being close to a return.

Curtis Jones missed Wednesday’s game through illness but is available on Saturday, while Ibrahima Konaté should return to the starting lineup after Slot confirmed his availability for the weekend. He’s missed recent games following the tragic passing of his father.

There will be no spiky reunion with Newcastle for Alexander Isak who is still sidelined with a broken leg.

Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Newcastle (4-2-3-1)

GK: Alisson—Even Liverpool’s better performances this season have often required Alisson heroics, but the Brazilian really did have an incredibly straightforward evening on Wednesday.

RB: Dominik Szoboszlai—With Frimpong, Bradley and Gomez missing, it appears a straight shootout between Wataru Endo and Szoboszlai as emergency right back cover. Up against Anthony Gordon’s speed, the Hungarian appears a wiser choice.

CB: Ibrahima Konaté—Slot has revealed that Konaté returned to training on Friday and given Liverpool’s lack of options at centre back, he’s likely to be chucked straight back into the XI.

CB: Virgil van Dijk—Van Dijk was dreadful at Bournemouth but earned redemption with an unlikely hat-trick of assists against Qarabağ. The Dutchman is preparing for an awkward battle with Nick Woltemade or Yoane Wissa.

LB: Milos Kerkez—Andy Robertson impressed midweek as he appears set to stay at Anfield until the end of the season at least, but Kerkez could return having been an unused substitute on Wednesday.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch—Gravenberch was used at centre back against Qarabağ and easily could have given away a penalty in his unfamiliar role. The Netherlands international should return to midfield with Szoboszlai’s potential role change.

DM: Alexis Mac Allister—Mac Allister has been nowhere near his usual level this season but a confidence-boosting brace midweek could lift his spirits.

RW: Mohamed Salah—Salah scored his first goal since Nov. 1 as he bent a beautiful free kick into the top corner midweek and Slot will hope that the Egyptian’s stunner marks the beginning of a purple patch in front of goal.

AM: Florian Wirtz—It’s now seven goal contributions in the last ten outings for Wirtz, who continues to show signs of improvement in a red shirt. Another well-taken goal midweek will further boost his confidence.

LW: Cody Gakpo—Gakpo has come under fire lately and for good reason given his general drop in standards and growing predictability from the left wing. He will be eager to silence his naysayers on Saturday in a crucial fixture.

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This article was originally published on www.si.com as Liverpool XI vs. Newcastle: Van Dijk Gets Konate Boost—Injury News, Predicted Lineup.

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