Newcastle United – Liverpool: Early Bird Catches The Worm (0-2)

Two goals and a red card for the opponents, inside twenty-two minutes, would appear to have put this game to bed for Liverpool. However, Eddie Howe’s switch to the 4-3-2 formation and pushing Allan Saint-Maximin into the center kept the game even for much longer than anticipated.

Tactical analysis and match report by Joel Parker.

Going into the top four was a distant dream for one of these teams, and almost a guarantee for the other going into the season. Defining moments in the defense have seen such aspirations massively change throughout the season.

Newcastle United’s 2-1 defeat at Anfield, back in August, was the last time they conceded twice in a game and the only defeat they have suffered this season. Eddie Howe’s Bournemouth team faced scrutiny for the number of goals they kept conceding, but just thirteen times going into the later months is a crazy transformation. 

Liverpool was in desperate need of a routine victory going into the Merseyside Derby, after just one win in seven games. After a sticky half hour, Everton blessed Liverpool with the transitional chances they crave. An important win for Jürgen Klopp but a match that didn’t answer the problems they have faced when they need to press their opponents, their strongest asset in Klopp’s time at the club. 

The only change that Howe made would be in the midfield of his 4-3-3 structure. With Joe Willock injured, Elliott Anderson came into the frame. Callum . . .