Newcastle United vs. Liverpool: Arne Slot’s team must approach the Premier League matchup against Eddie Howe’s side with utmost seriousness, as Howe aims to put an end to Slot’s winning streak…

Newcastle United vs. Liverpool: Arne Slot’s Reds must approach Premier League encounter with Eddie Howe’s Toon with utmost seriousness.

Liverpool needs to deliver a top-notch performance on Wednesday evening against Newcastle United at St James’ Park to demonstrate their credentials as Premier League contenders, cautioned Reds expert David Lynch.

Following victories over reigning European champions Real Madrid last Wednesday and English champions Manchester City on Sunday, Liverpool supporters may feel a sense of optimism as the Christmas season approaches.

Currently, Arne Slot’s team holds a nine-point lead in the league, having secured 18 wins out of 20 matches under his management.

However, as they prepare to face Eddie Howe’s Newcastle United, Lynch emphasizes the importance of treating this match with the seriousness it deserves, stating to Sports Mole: “Rivals, particularly Arsenal fans, view this as a potential stumbling block. They experienced defeat against Newcastle at St James’ Park earlier this season.

“I believe Newcastle is a formidable opponent. Although their recent form has dipped slightly, I anticipate that Wednesday evening’s match at St James’ Park will present a challenging and vibrant atmosphere.”

Newcastle is a formidable opponent

The Toon has not secured a win in their last two matches, having drawn 1-1 with Crystal Palace on Saturday and lost 2-0 to West Ham United on November 25.

Their draw against Crystal Palace raised some concerns, as they managed only 0.02 xG while conceding nearly 2.5 xG.

Despite these challenges, Newcastle has a commendable record against top-tier teams this season, having triumphed over Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea, and Arsenal, and they also held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw in late September.

Their 1-0 win against Arsenal in early November was particularly noteworthy, as they effectively neutralized Bukayo Saka’s influence through their aggressive off-the-ball tactics.

Lynch emphasized the importance of Liverpool respecting their upcoming match, citing their record against top teams as a key reason.

He recounted a previous visit when Jurgen Klopp questioned the existence of a rivalry during a press conference after a Saturday evening match.

He noted, “It’s a challenging venue, with players who give their all and apply relentless pressure.

“They possess quality as well, particularly with Anthony Gordon, who is highly regarded by Liverpool’s recruitment team.”

Lynch warned that if Newcastle is performing well, it becomes a very difficult place to play, especially since they have already secured significant victories this season.

What would a Liverpool win signify?

Liverpool’s title competitors will also be in action on Wednesday, with Manchester City facing Nottingham Forest and Arsenal hosting Manchester United.

While both teams are favored to win, it is crucial for Liverpool to maintain their substantial points lead for as long as possible.

During their Premier League triumph in the 2019-20 season, they established an insurmountable lead in the first half of the campaign.

Although their current nine-point advantage is not guaranteed, a win against Newcastle could be pivotal in aiding Liverpool’s quest to replicate their 2019-20 success.

Discussing Liverpool’s prospects against Newcastle, Lynch remarked, “They need to go there and assert themselves against a Newcastle team whose form has dipped recently, which is fortuitous for Liverpool. This presents a great chance to make a statement.”

He acknowledged that Newcastle tends to perform well in high-stakes matches, attributing this to their squad’s speed and ability to counterattack effectively.

It is reassuring that [Liverpool] is unlikely to underestimate the challenges they will face in this match. They are aware of the difficulties encountered last season when they played against Newcastle.

Therefore, they understand the necessity of delivering a strong performance to secure three points in this encounter.