Xherdan Shaqiri Liverpool news
Xherdan Shaqiri Liverpool

Liverpool take on Newcastle United at Anfield on Boxing Day and Rafa Benitez will have the task of inflicting the Reds’ first defeat of the season.

To be very honest, everyone expects Liverpool to walk away from the game with all three points but after Man City’s shock loss to Crystal Palace this Saturday no one is willing to put money where there mouth is.

Jurgen Klopp has a few players who will be returning from injury but many pundits predict the manager will name his first eleven keeping the Arsenal game in mind.

Liverpool team news vs Newcastle:





Liverpool have some long term absentees for the Boxing Day clash with Joel Matip out until January with a broken collar bone while Joe Gomez is recovering from a broken ankle and he is expected to be out of action for six weeks.

The manager though should be happy that midfielder Naby Keita will be available for selection after the player suffered a few cuts and rib bruises during the game againt Wolves.

Trent Alexander Arnold has also missed the past two games with an ankle injury but like Keita he took will be back in contention.




But these players have trained normally this weekend but we doubt if Jurgen Klopp will risk them in midweek given that they are guaranteed starters vs Arsenal next weekend.




Apart from these players, we can also expect the manager to make a couple of other changes with the key one being the inclusion of Xherdan Shaqiri in place of Roberto Firmino.

Right-back Andy Robertson is also expected to be rested and Moreno should take his place while Nathan Clyne will be at left-back.

Virgil Van Dijk and Dejan Lovren will be at central defence primarily since they are the only two fit defenders available to Jurgen Klopp.



Liverpool team news vs Newcastle: Red’s predicted line up

Expected XI: Alisson, Moreno, Van Dijk, Lovren, Clyne, Wijnaldum, Henderson, Fabinho, Salah, Mane, Shaqiri.



Read: Arsenal defender could be ruled out for the Liverpool clash this weekend.

Read: Liverpool star talks about his teammate’s impact at the club this season.




Read: Here’s the main concern for Rafa Benitez now that Jose Mourinho has left Manchester United.

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