Liverpool XI vs Newcastle: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League game

Evening Standard

·25 February 2025

Liverpool XI vs Newcastle: Confirmed team news, predicted lineup and injury latest for Premier League game

Reds look to take another step towards Premier League title in a dress rehearsal for the Carabao Cup final

Liverpool are expected to have Alexis Mac Allister fit for Wednesday’s meeting with Newcastle, though Conor Bradley will definitely miss out.

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Mac Allister is a crucial figure in the Reds’ midfield but needed lengthy treatment during the first half of Sunday’s 2-0 win at Manchester City after sustaining a facial injury during a collision with Omar Marmoush in which the latter fell into him while scoring a goal that was then disallowed for offside, with Mac Allister landing painfully.

The Argentine was patched up and deemed fine to continue as he played the full 90 minutes at the Etihad Stadium, later saying that he had been left feeling a little dizzy as a picture on social media showed him sporting a black eye and some bruising on his cheek.

Mac Allister looks set to be ready to face Newcastle on Wednesday in a Premier League fixture that acts as a warm-up for next month’s Carabao Cup final between the same two sides at Wembley, with manager Arne Slot telling reporters at his pre-match press conference: “Yes, I think he will [be available]. He will train with us today [Tuesday].”

However, there was less positive news on right-back Bradley, who missed the City game with a hamstring injury suffered after coming on during last week’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa.

“He is out for a few weeks,” Slot said of the Northern Ireland international. “I cannot tell exactly how many but it is clear that he went off with a muscle injury and that it is going to take a while before he is back.”

Bradley’s injury leaves Liverpool short on cover for Trent Alexander-Arnold, himself only recently back from a knee issue. Joe Gomez is facing another long spell out with his latest hamstring injury, with Jarell Quansah now seemingly their main back-up on the right side of defence.

Cody Gakpo and Diogo Jota are pushing to start when Liverpool host Newcastle. Jota was an unused substitute against City on Sunday, while Gakpo came off the bench in the closing stages to make his return from a knock suffered in the Merseyside derby.

Slot opted to play no recognised striker against City, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Curtis Jones the most advanced in central areas, but he suggested that was a decision forced upon him.

After Newcastle’s visit to Anfield on Wednesday night, Liverpool - due to their shock FA Cup fourth round defeat at Plymouth earlier this month - have a week off before they then face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League last 16 and can therefore be expected to name a strong lineup.

If there is some rotation, Kostas Tsimikas could come in to replace Andy Robertson at left-back, while Szoboszlai appeared exhausted after the City match as he lay on the ground and could be handed a rest if there is a change in shape.

Mohamed Salah can be expected to start as he looks to continue what has been a remarkable season so far, having already contributed 25 goals and 16 assists in the Premier League. Young midfielder Tyler Morton is out after shoulder surgery.

Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Konate, Van Dijk, Tsimikas; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Szoboszlai, Gakpo; Diaz

Injured: Bradley, Gomez, Morton

Time and date: 8:15pm GMT on Wednesday February 26, 2025

How to watch: TNT Sports