Newcastle United welcome Liverpool in the Premier League this weekend and Rafa Benitez will be hoping to spoil the title challenge of his previous club.
While Liverpool fans are hoping that Rafa will help out his former club by naming a weak team but the Magpies boss has made it clear that there will be no favours whatsoever.
Newcastle United are currently 13th on the league table with 42 points but the Toons are unbeaten in their last three points – winning two out of these three encounters.
Newcastle United news vs Liverpool:
Ayoze Perez picked up an injury during the first half of Newcastle’s 1-1 draw with Brighton last weekend and the attacking midfielder was not expected to feature vs Liverpool.
But now it looks like the 25-year-old is back in contention to start vs the Anfield outfit after he returned back to training this week.
If Ayoze Perez is not risked then Rafa Benitez will most certainly hand Kenedy a start on the left-hand side of the pitch.
Sean Longstaff, Florian Lejeune and Miguel Almiron are also suffering from long-term injuries and will not play any part for Newcastle United this season.
Jamaal Lascelles is currently suffering from a stomach bug and reports claim that the defender will go through a late fitness test on Saturday.
But rumours have it that Jamaal might not be fit enough to make it to the matchday squad vs Liverpool.
Rafa Benitez is expected to start with a five-man defensive line as he did vs Brighton which means Manquillo and Ritchie will keep their place in the starting line-up this weekend.
A heavy back line and midfield means, there will be room for only one striker up front and it will be Rondon.
Newcastle United news: Magpies predicted line up
First XI: Dubravka, Ritchie, Dummett, Fernandez, Schar, Manquillo, Kenedy, Shelvey, Hayden, Atsu, Rondon.
