The Reds Retrospective

Saturday, January 31, 2026 – Anfield

The Reds play host to Newcastle at Anfield on Saturday at 8:00 PM, hoping to build momentum off of a 6-0 Champions League victory over Azerbaijani side Qarabağ FK on Wednesday night.

There are no two ways around it, this has been a poor season from Liverpool. Since starting the Premier League season with a perfect fifteen points from five games, the Reds have stumbled to a 5-7-6 record in their last 18 league matches. The Reds welcome Newcastle to Anfield at 6th place in the league (35 points). The Reds are closer to Newcastle who are in 9th (32 points), than they are to Chelsea in 5th (39 points). As the league table tightens below and the fight for European football intensifies at this point in the campaign, this match against Newcastle is a critical must win game.

LIVERPOOL RECENT FORM
W vs Barnsley 4-1
D vs Burnley 1-1
W at Marseille 3-0
L at Bournemouth 2-3
W vs Qarabağ 6-0

NEWCASTLE RECENT FORM
L vs Man City 0-2
D at Wolves 0-0
W vs PSV 3-0
L vs Aston Villa 0-2
D at PSG 1-1

Going into Saturday, squad depth is certainly an issue particularly in Liverpool’s center of defense and flanks, and it seems as though the Reds just can’t catch a break with the injury bug. At right back, following an unfortunate groin injury to Jeremie Frimpong, and with Conor Bradley out for the long term it is likely that Dominik Szoboszlai will once again be called on to play on the right side of defense. Other options to fill the position are midfielder Curtis Jones, and youngster Calvin Ramsay.

It is doubtful Ramsay, the 22 year old Scotsman and Liverpool’s only available “natural” fit for the position will get his chance on Saturday, as Arne Slot has consistently indicated he believes there are better options at right back even during injury crises earlier this season.

Arne Slot did confirm that Ibrahima Konaté will be available for the clash on Saturday, returning from a personal absence following the passing of his father. Konaté will likely slot back into the starting 11 next to Virgil Van Dijk.

LIVERPOOL PREDICTED 11 (4-2-3-1)
Alisson, Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Mac Allister, Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo, Ekitike.

MATCH PREDICTION
As difficult a run as it has been for the Reds, and as critical as I am of the manager, I am going to back Liverpool to win this game at home by a score of 2-1. Mo Salah’s set piece strike from midweek is hopefully the spark he needed to regain his confidence in the final third, where he seemed indecisive following his return from AFCON amidst the obvious elephant in the room regarding his tension with Arne Slot prior to his departure. Mo Salah will score for Liverpool again on Saturday, with an additional strike from Hugo Ekitike to seal the victory for the Reds.