Liverpool line-ups for Newcastle as Wataru Endo and Joe Goemz decisions made
Ian Doyle - Gomez and Endo come in
Somewhat strange are the attempts in the North East to build up some sort of venomous, spiteful rivalry between Liverpool and Newcastle.
There isn't. But that doesn't mean it won't be a tough afternoon for the Reds up on Tyneside in their Premier League clash later today.
And Jurgen Klopp has some big decisions to make in most areas of the field.
At centre-back, there are question marks over the fitness of Ibrahima Konate and I wouldn't risk him. Instead, the extra pace of Joe Gomez compared to Joel Matip will prove beneficial and he can slot in alongside skipper Virgil van Dijk, Alisson Becker is in goal with Trent Alexander-Arnold the right-back and Andy Robertson on the left.
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In midfield, it's a full debut for Wataru Endo at number six, in a new-look engine room with Alexis Mac Allister to his right and Dominik Szoboszai to his left.
That means Cody Gakpo can be released to his regular false number nine role at the expense of the unlucky Diogo Jota, with Luis Diaz on the left wing and Mohamed Salah on the right for what we hope isn't his last game for Liverpool.
I mean, seems a bit daft to leave this week regardless of the money. The Saudi Arabians will still be interested next year when they can actually make a move that looks like they really want him rather than leaving it until the last minute as if Salah is some kind of afterthought.
My team (4-3-3): Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Gomez, Van Dijk, Robertson; Endo, Mac Allister, Szoboszlai; Salah, Gakpo, Diaz
Paul Gorst - Matip gets the nod in defence
Newcastle
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