Three things to watch as Liverpool takes on Newcastle in the Premier League
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Perhaps a bit like Tottenham, Newcastle United are one of those sides that always seem to deliver fireworks when facing Liverpool, and the two storied clubs will meet once again in the Premier League on Saturday at Anfield.Over the past few seasons, Liverpool–Newcastle clashes have rarely lacked entertainment, from Darwin Núñez’s dramatic game-winning brace to some of the Reds’ most electric attacking displays against their Tyneside rivals—perhaps most memorably when Jürgen Klopp’s side shattered the Premier League xG record (7.39) in a 4-2 win over the Magpies in 2024.This season has been no different. Off the pitch, the two clubs also became increasingly intertwined, as the saga surrounding former Toon Alexander Isak’s move to Anfield—and Liverpool’s subsequent signing of Hugo Ekitiké, who had also been linked with Newcastle—has only added further tension to Saturday’s showdown.With so much recent history in mind—and as the Reds push to stay in the top-four hunt while Newcastle begin a grueling run of domestic fixtures—what should fans be watching for when the sides kick off at Anfield?Newcastle United v Liverpool - Premier League | Daniel Chesterton/Offside/GettyImages1.
Anticipate fouls; lots of themAs mentioned earlier, Newcastle have plenty of reasons to feel aggrieved by the Reds over the past few months: a 16-year-old breaking their hearts in their own park, their star striker forcing a move to Anfield, and Liverpool snapping up the player they had earmarked as his replacement. I play for Liverpool, and I have my fans here.”Hilariously enough, both Liverpool and Newcastle currently rank as the bottom two sides in the league for total fouls committed this season—but you can throw that stat out the window given the heated subtext surrounding this game.2.
Liverpool's revitalized set pieces could play a factorLiverpool FC v Qarabag FK - UEFA Champions League 2025/26 League Phase MD8 | Liverpool FC/GettyImagesAlmost a direct response to criticism of their set-piece struggles following the draw with Burnley, Liverpool have now scored from five dead-ball situations across three consecutive games—a massively positive turnaround after more than a month without one.A trio of free-kick strikes from Szoboszlai and Salah, along with corner goals against Qarabag and Bournemouth, has suddenly made new set-piece coach Lewis Mahoney look like the perfect fit for the job. After going down to 10 men in the reverse fixture, Newcastle thrived on the chaos created by long throws and free kicks into the box, and the Reds would do well to keep that in mind ahead of Saturday.Fortunately, Milos Kerkez—one of the Reds’ main culprits in poor set-piece defending who was overpowered by Guimaraes to give Newcastle a lifeline last time—has improved significantly since August and will be a key player to watch in this matchup.Gordon recently remarked that the Premier League’s focus on set-piece goals has grown a bit dull, and while he certainly has a point, Liverpool will take goals by any means necessary on Saturday.FBL-EUR-C1-LIVERPOOL-QARABAG | PAUL ELLIS/GettyImages3.