Newcastle v Liverpool match preview

By: j | April 30th, 2009

With four matches remaining in Newcastle’s quest to avoid relegation, Saturdays test at Anfield is quite obviously an extraordinarily challenging one but in the throes of needing points they need to utilize a wise tactical approach and look to squeeze out a draw at the very least.

While the task of gaining points at Anfield is a great one, the Magpie’s need to play with a level of intensity that is befitting of saving the club from relegation and dare I say, deserving of their manager. Of course the bigger question is still, do they have it in their claret to play with the level of intensity that number 9 did through his years and can they show the confidence to pounce on opportunities. If Newcastle is to avoid the highlight “showdowns” next year between Roy Keane’s Ipswich Town, Nottingham Forest or newly promoted Leicester City the level of intensity needs to be amplified exponentially and opportunities closed out with tactical precision.

Returning to the relegation “battle” of all clubs, it appears to be one in which the combatants, excluding West Brom, are merely looking to “punch the clock” and it is very possible that we might see a side survive relegation with one of the lowest point totals in recent history. In a curious piece of scheduling trivia, Middlesbrough, Hull City and Newcastle face two European destined clubs who, in the midst of the fight for points will not be so forgiving to their woeful colleague’s. This could provide Newcastle an escape route with less than the forty point target.

If things weren’t complicated enough against Liverpool, injuries have reared their ugly head as Oba Martins, Mark Viduka and Jonás Gutiérrez are all questionable with José Enrique out although they will receive a boost with Joey Barton returning to the starting eleven.