14:53
“Night Rob,” says Richard Preston. “One thing that all the time goes underneath the radar with that Suarez purpose is how good the help from Jose Enrique was. Most likely the perfect factor he did in a Liverpool shirt (admittedly that’s a low bar), and nobody is aware of he even did it.”
Ha, that’s level. We must always do the Pleasure of Six: Forgotten Assists.
14:44
On reflection, I’m irritated I didn’t embrace Suarez v Newcastle on this piece. Perhaps it was too contemporary within the reminiscence. Disgrace, as I might have stroked my chin fairly fantastically while pontificating about it.
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14:40
“Supporting Liverpool these previous couple of years has concerned some great enjoyable,” says Matt Dony. “ There have been astonishing performances, and a few unbelievable soccer resulting in implausible objectives. Magnificence and bludgeon in equal measure. However, I’m unsure something has fairly matched the insouciant genius of Suarez’s purpose in opposition to Newcastle.
“I’ve seen many extra ‘spectacular’ objectives, however nothing that matches that individual mixture of unworldly ability, conceited execution and normal air of ‘Strive what you need, you possibly can’t cease me’ that Suarez exuded at his finest. There have been quite a few traditional encounters between these two groups (together with THAT match, clearly), however nowadays my ideas drift instantly to 2012, and a handful of touches that appeared to defy physics.”
This. I really like distinctive objectives, and that’s one of many greats. It’s an astounding purpose. By no means thoughts the precise touches; the pace of thought alone is past comprehension.
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14:38
“Season’s greetings Rob!” says Martin McCarthy. “There appears to be a good bit of confidence amongst Guardian writers that Liverpool are title favourites however with van Dijk and Gomez out for the long run and Matip unable to stay unhurt for lengthy, it feels that defensively A LOT is driving on Fabinho staying wholesome for the rest of the season. Maybe I’m permitting my pure pessimism to get the higher of me although…”
Do you suppose they’ll purchase in January? It’s tough as a result of in the event that they purchase a top-class centre again, what occurs to Gomez (and even Fabinho) subsequent season? The very best factor is likely to be to mortgage a strong, skilled centre-back, although no person involves thoughts.
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14:32
“Hello Rob,” says David Wall. “At what level are you able to say that there’s a real contest for the title? Virtually half of the season has been performed and there are six factors between the highest 9 groups (sure, Liverpool can go 5 factors clear this night however they’ll have then performed a sport greater than most different sides).
“I noticed that Solskjaer was making an attempt to minimize the concept yesterday, suggesting you couldn’t actually say there was a correct contest till about 30 video games had been performed). However final yr the title was nearly determined by this level. And contemplating that no aspect has proven any chance of reaching the type of consistency Liverpool had final yr you then’d anticipate it to remain fairly shut from right here, wouldn’t you? Or is it actually too quickly to inform, particularly with there being a lot uncertainty about fixture scheduling, the results of an infection on gamers, potential breaks in any soccer in any respect, and so forth?”
This jogs my memory a number of of the seasons within the Nineteen Nineties (and 2001-02, the good forgotten title race), when the desk was usually very tight at Christmas earlier than one or two groups pulled away with loopy successful/unbeaten runs. I’d anticipate the identical to occur right here with Liverpool and Manchester Metropolis (if Sergio Aguero stays match).
United are essentially the most intriguing component of the title race. In the event that they win at Anfield in January it’s going to make issues deliciously fascinating, however my feeling is it’s nonetheless too quickly for them to problem. I mentioned Liverpool by 10+ factors firstly and I’m sticking with that. If I used to be a Liverpool fan I’d be barely fearful about how little Jurgen Klopp rotates, however I nonetheless suppose they’ll be too good.
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14:25
Some extra pre-match studying
14:10
Spurs had been speculated to be enjoying Fulham proper now, however the match was postponed on the final minute due to a Covid outbreak at Fulham. That didn’t impress Jose Mourinho a lot.
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14:04
Workforce information
Steve Bruce has made one change to the Newcastle aspect that misplaced 2-0 at Manchester Metropolis on Boxing Day: Callum Wilson replaces Miguel Almiron.
There’s some constructive harm information for Liverpool, with James Milner returning to the beginning line-up and Thiago Alcantara among the many substitutes. Nat Phillips begins at centre-half instead of the injured Joel Matip.
Newcastle (3-4-2-1) Darlow; Clark, Fernandez, Schar; Yedlin, M Longstaff, Hayden, Ritchie; Murphy, Joelinton; Wilson.
Substitutes: Dubravka, Lewis, Krafth, Shelvey, Hendrick, Almiron, S Longstaff, Carroll, Gayle.
Liverpool (4-3-3) Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Phillips, Fabinho, Robertson; Milner, Henderson, Jones; Salah, Firmino, Mane.
Substitutes: Kelleher, R Williams, N Williams, Wijnaldum, Thiago, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Shaqiri, Minamino, Origi.
Referee Paul Tierney.
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12:07
Preamble
Hiya and welcome to dwell protection of Newcastle v Liverpool from St James’ Park. It’s the final Premier League sport of 2020, and Liverpool’s ultimate match of a momentous yr through which they gained their first league title since 1990. Their title defence hasn’t reached the identical superior heights, no less than not persistently, however they’re nonetheless high and can transfer 5 factors away from Manchester United in the event that they win tonight. It’s not precisely a disaster.
Newcastle have had an honest season by way of outcomes, particularly given the Covid outbreak that hit them so arduous, however there was the standard discontent over their fashion of play. They gained’t be turning into Brazil 1970 tonight, understandably so given the opposition. If Newcastle draw 1-1 by way of a thrice-deflected 94th-minute purpose from Jonjo Shelvey, having had 4 per cent of the possession, they’ll have had evening. Any change in fashion must wait until subsequent yr.
Kick off 8pm.
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