By Tyne-Talk
December 27 2008

With just 2 days since their last competitive game, you can expect both teams to be a little tired as they hit the pitch. For Newcastle, this will not be helped by their 2-1 defeat against Wigan nor the numerous injuries and suspensions which have been picked up in recent games, meaning the team is effectively picking itself due to lack of options.

Prior to Newcastle's defeat against Wigan, they were on a strong run with 2 consecutive wins and a run of 6 games without losing, they do however still have a 6 game unbeaten home run under their belt.

At the other end of the table Liverpool travel on the back of a 3-0 win against Bolton, with Robbie Keane who is still trying to prove himself to the Kop, putting the ball in the back of  the net twice. Liverpool have won 3 and drawn 3 of their last 6 competitive games.

20 Points separate the two sides from 1^st to 12^th this game is extremely important to both teams with Liverpool hoping to gain the advantage against Chelsea and Manchester United both of which are hot on their heels, and Newcastle aiming for the top 10 and to break well away from the relegation battle which currently could be between as many as 10 teams.

Newcastle suffered injuries to Mark Viduka who tore a muscle, Jose Enrique who pulled out of the Boxing Day fixture after picking up a calf injury in training and Habib Beye who has a suspected fracture, all against Wigan. They also had Sebastien Bassong sent off. In addition to the newly injured, Alan Smith, Joey Barton, Obafemi Martins and Gonzalez are all ruled out through injury.

Joe Kinnear will be banking on the return of Shola Ameobi who picked up a hamstring injury who has pencilled in tomorrow's match as his return game as Obafemi Martins is said to still be ruled out through a groin injury which he picked up earlier in the month. Alternatively Andy Carroll could start upfront with Michael Owen.

Steven Taylor will return to the starting eleven in Bassong's absence.

Liverpool are likely to welcome back Torres who is expected to start on the bench, whilst Javier Mascherano who missed Liverpool's Boxing Day fixture should return to the starting eleven. Arbeloa remains sidelined due to a hamstring injury.

Historically the two teams have played a total of 78 games with Newcastle taking the advantage and winning 33 to Liverpool's 22.

Match Preview/Thread/Stats: Newcastle v Liverpool

Discussion started by TyneTalk (IP Logged), 27/12/2008 11:13

TyneTalk
27/12/2008 11:13

What do you think? You can have your say by posting below.

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wasim4nufc
27/12/2008 12:02

All I can say is, if we play as poorly like we did yesterday (from what I heard) and Liverpool play as awesome as they did yesterday (from what I see, the amount of crossfield balls, which gave the wingers space to run at the defenders and create goal scoring opportunities), then we are seriously going to get a hiding tomorrow. I hate to sound negative, and I'll be supporting the toon as always, but there's a reason Liverpool are on top of the league, and if we don't show more desire, passion and will to win than Liverpool, we'll see first hand that very reason.



Wasim's Sport Blog

Toon4life

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nathan robinson
27/12/2008 12:38

Not looking good really, more injuries yesterday and Bassong's suspension has pretty much torn apart the team that was on a good run of form. Not looking forward to the game, thinking 3-1 to Liverpool.

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becksa09
27/12/2008 16:54

to many injuries and suspensions - but liverpool would handle us at full strength anyways.

Looking like a handy 2-0 Liverpool.

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i!
27/12/2008 17:01

Not looking very good at all for us really. I'd pick:

Given
Geremi Coloccini Taylor Edgar
Gutierrez Guthrie Butt Duff
Owen Carroll

Bench:
Harper
Tozer
Cacapa
N'Zogbia
Lua Lua
Ameobi
Ranger

Pretty much picks itself, although I suspect he'll start N'Zogbia over Geremi or Edgar.


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Andy Cole
27/12/2008 18:32

Newcastle United 1 - 0 Liverpool

Danny Guthrie 14 mins

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MissC
27/12/2008 18:39

ooh Andy the Optimist.

I think liverpool will take a 3-1 win unfortunately il be sat side by side my bloke who supports liverpool

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becksa09
27/12/2008 18:48

Given

Taylor
Colo
Bassong
N'Zogbia

Jonas
Butt
Guthrie
Duff

Carroll
Owen

Subs:
Harper
Edgar
Ranger
Geremi
Xisco
Lua Lua
Cacapa

Most likely line up, he will play Zog at LB cos he can't leave him on the bench really. If Martins is passed fit i would start him over Carroll but i imagine JFK won't rsik him which is fine with me....i would really like to see Kadar at least on the bench - i would even play him LB i don't see why not you know!

Jonas needs to start really be effective, i have been more impressed by his defensive work last couple of games than his attacking - and thats a major concern. Again, this game is all but lost, but hey you never know right, weirder things have happened!

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faheemusa
27/12/2008 23:28

My dad and brother are pool fans, I hope we can get something from the game

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ToonBart
28/12/2008 02:53

This has got 3-2 to newcastle all over it with a carol hat trick. Get your money on it!

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Jaryd
28/12/2008 04:33

Newcastle 3 - 2 Liverpool
Carrol, Guthrie and Owen to score.
I reckon the boys will come out firing.

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OnTheLevee
28/12/2008 12:43

Its a bit hard to get anything from games against top 4 teams when we have clear goals disallowed because of terrible refereeing decisions.. Don't mean to sound like I'm having a whinge but it seems that are we on the wrong end of bad decisions more often than not.

Owen goal counts and we're back at 1-1 with a chance, as it stands the game is virtually dead at 2-0. FUK THESE USELESS REFEREES. We get the Heskey penalty last week, where Heskey is clearly offside, then clearly fouled outside the box, then clearly dives once in the box and now this bullshit.. meh this @#$%& is apparently standard these days...

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OnTheLevee
28/12/2008 12:47

2-1 Edgar scores.. Guess the game isn't dead just yet.. :-)

Makes the disallowed goal to Owen even more of a kick in the balls however.

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nathan robinson
28/12/2008 12:50

Carragher shouldn't be on the pitch either.

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wasim4nufc
28/12/2008 13:19

Liverpool were absolutely awesome in the first half. 11 shots on target and if not for the brilliant shay given they could have been 9-1 up, instead its only 3-1, while geremi has just hit the post with a great free kick.



Wasim's Sport Blog

Toon4life

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cappen
28/12/2008 13:37

We are terrible... we can't pass the ball and have no creative ideas.

Ashley, if the club is not for sale you'd better have that cheque book ready for January!

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CNDShearerFan16
28/12/2008 13:39

We shouldn't have showed up a 3-0 walkover would have been far less embarrassing! 5-1 this is just sad.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2008:12:28:13:42:13 by CNDShearerFan16.

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senyabtoon
28/12/2008 13:58

just woken up after a late night tunred on the match and i thought i was still asleep just glad i missed 80 mins and on to tyne talk and ashley is staying what a day never expected this when i was thinking of today but i should know better being a nufc fan

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nathan robinson
28/12/2008 14:03

Worst performance I've seen in a long time that wasn't helped by some bad officiating. Can't wait for transfer window to open because MA has to spend now.

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Jaryd
28/12/2008 14:13

Officiating was a lot better than last game.

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nathan robinson
28/12/2008 14:28

Wouldn't say it was a lot better really.

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Mighty__Mag
28/12/2008 14:44

No marking whatsoever! why was gerrard allowed to walk freely towards goal on nearly every occasion, he should have been man marked!

We looked nervous & had no pace, we need some aggressive bigger guys in january if we can get anyone! and some forwards who can run & run!

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MissC
28/12/2008 15:41

We lost the game in the first 30minutes. Edgars goal was just compensation. We were never going to come back and never looked like we could win.

It was a shocking performance and an embarrassing one. I thought we would lose 1-3 but 1-5 is appalling

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becksa09
28/12/2008 15:54

oh boy, just woke up and saw this result. We are in trouble.

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annie
28/12/2008 16:42

On night shift so thankfully I didn't get to watch the match.
Can't think of anything positive to say about our team.

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