Newcastle Vs Liverpool Match Preview 10th May 2014

Desperate for title Reds take on minnows Magpies in a do-it or blow-it match

Kick off : Sunday 11th May St James Park,15:00 BST


It’s the last match of the League season for Liverpool as they meet Newcastle at Anfield this Sunday. Till their Match Against Chelsea , Liverpool were on a cruise run with 11 straight wins, 81 points and 2nd ranking in the tally just behind Manchester City . Just when all was going swell with a 3-0 lead at half time against Crystal Palace , wonder manager Brendon Rodgers’ boys choked, sputtered and crumbled to end the match tamely at 3-3. The draw was almost curtains drawn for their elusive League title hopes too that for once were within their sight. If they trounce Newcastle by a huge margin, and West Ham does in Manchester City, the Reds may still have a wafer thin chance at holding the trophy.
For Newcastle magpies, things have not been very shiny, and that’s putting it mildly. In a ho-hum season, they stand 9th with just 47 points. Their last 5 matches have been 3 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. But then they are a talented team who specialize in being a bunch of underachievers at the critical time!

For Liverpool, the stakes couldn't be bigger. They need to win the match, plain and simple. If they win, they still get a shot at the title. If they lose, they hand the trophy to Manchester United and kick themselves all the way to the locker room. This is Captain Steven Gerrard’s best chance to taste the elusive success as the League champs. Lose or draw, the Reds will end the season in the Top 3 but will it be enough for them?

Liverpool cruised through the entire season ,and now need the gods to interfere for them to be crowned champions of the league 

If Newcastle beat Liverpool by some divine intervention, they will be ecstatic. If they lose or draw, well, they are used to it, aren’t they?
Just an interesting tidbit, Newcastle and Liverpool have never played a goalless draw in their 39 Premier League matches till date.

Star Players to watch out for
The star of the line ups on either side is indeed Liverpool’s Luis Suarez  with 31 goals in this season. One more goal, and he matches Thierry Henry’s 32 goals’ league record. Two goals or hat-trick, Luis makes it to the history books as the maverick.

Injury and team news
Liverpool’s Henderson has been out for 3 matches. Now that his suspension is done and over with, he should take the field. Philippe Coutinho too is likely to come back after a spell out.
Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa has been cooling his heels of late. He sat out matches against Cardiff and Arsenal. Papiss Cisse and Luuk de Jong are out with injuries on knee and ankle, respectively. Loic Remy and Shola Ameobi are likely to continue in their spots. After his entry in the last match, Massadio Haidara too can continue in defense.

Final score prediction

Liverpool-3, Newcastle-1

The Reds’ game plan will be to play a relentless pass and attack game to keep Newcastle totally on the defensive. They know that Newcastle has a terrible time defending, always their Achilles heel against big clubs. Liverpool will be looking to get a clear lead of 2 or 3 or more goals.

Last words? Liverpool is the big favourite to win over Newcastle.

Written By : Namita Jain