Liverpool have a tough test in the Premier League on Monday as they head to St James’ Park.

The Reds started with a mixed performance, but a good result, on opening weekend last Friday, beating Bournemouth 4-2.

Having played in the early weekend fixture last time, Liverpool must wait their turn this time as they conclude the matchday on Monday Night Football.

The atmosphere at Newcastle’s home ground is always tough to play in, but the timing of the fixture as their first home game of the season in an evening kick-off will make it doubly difficult for Liverpool.

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Add in the fact that Alexander Isak is desperate to leave Newcastle for Liverpool and you get a perfect storm for Arne Slot to navigate.

Back with his Premier League predictions for the season, Chris Sutton is backing them to do just that.

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Heading into this fixture, Newcastle fans online have been talking up the possibility that the likes of Joelinton and Bruno Guimaraes will be absolutely desperate to take revenge on Liverpool.

But what those supporters appear to be forgetting is that Liverpool are champions.

But then you look at Liverpool’s attack and you think, blimey,” Sutton writes for BBC Sport.

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“Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike, who had a blinder of a debut and Newcastle wanted to sign.

I veer towards Liverpool solely because Newcastle don’t have a centre-forward.

Absolutely.”

While Liverpool fans are right to be worried heading to the north east on a Monday evening, they should also have confidence in their own team.

As Sutton points out, the big difference between these two sides is that one is full of goals while the other is severely lacking them.

Newcastle’s failure to land a striker this summer has been of big interest to Liverpool supporters for obvious reasons, but it also means in the most simple terms that they are lacking a goal threat.

Without Isak and Callum Wilson, Anthony Gordon started through the middle for Eddie Howe against Aston Villa.

Neither he nor any of his teammates could find a goal.

So, while the midfield battle will be tough and Newcastle can be resolute, Liverpool should be backing themselves when it comes to outscoring the Toon.
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