Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United finished above Klopp’s Liverpool last season, thus securing the UCL spot which the Reds failed, for the first time since the 2015-16 season, as the two sides set to meet this Sunday, Paul Merson predicts the result.
Last season, the Magpies had a great season and finished ahead of Liverpool. And Paul Merson believes that would be the case in this weekend’s game as well.
Klopp’s men head to St. James Park for their third game having picked up 4 points from 2 games.
They now sit a point ahead of Newcastle who lost to Champions Manchester City last weekend. The Magpies struggled at the Etihad as Pep’s side outshone them.
However, that wouldn’t be the case with Liverpool as it could be much closer and a more entertaining affair. The Reds struggled away from home with their first game at Stamford Bridge ending in a draw.
It is going to be a huge game on Sunday against two in-form sides. And the former Arsenal forward Paul Merson actually thinks that Newcastle are going to win.
Newcastle will beat Liverpool – Paul Merson
In his latest column for Sportskeeda, Merson has predicted the scores of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures. He believes that Newcastle are going to beat Liverpool 3-1.
“If Newcastle start this game at a hundred miles an hour, I don’t see Liverpool being able to cope with them.They need to turn it on like they did against Aston Villa. I watched Liverpool against Bournemouth last week, and Bournemouth were very good in the first 20 minutes of the game.
I thought Newcastle would be underachievers this season, but they were brilliant in their first game. They had an opportunity to seize the initiative against Man City, but they didn’t win that game. They’ve had a hard start to their season and if they win this game, they’ll have won six out of nine points – it could set them up for a top-four finish. It would send a message to the rest of the Premier League that they’re a big threat.
If Newcastle play the way they usually do and start, they can smother Liverpool all over this pitch. If they can make the most of their start, I think they’ll be able to win this game.”
Newcastle will be confident going into the game against Liverpool. But they are a team that the Reds have struggled against in recent years. However, Howe hasn’t beaten Klopp as the Magpies’ manager.
It would be an entertaining affair
It wouldn’t just be a great game in terms of balanced team or great form, but also due to Klopp’s comments aimed at the Magpies. His comments seem to have angered the Toon Army who would love to see their team come out with a victory.
Moreover, Merson also feels that if Newcastle start fast, they could ‘blow’ Liverpool away in the early stages.
He is fairly confident that Howe’s side are going to win this encounter. But it would not be an easy affair with Liverpool getting their form back at the right moment.
I’m a football enthusiast and an avid writer and someone who lives by the Bill Shankly quote, on a day to day basis.
