Liverpool Faces Newcastle In Key Premier League Title Challenge Matchup

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Liverpool and Newcastle United have a history of thrilling Premier League encounters. A memorable match in April 1996 saw Liverpool win 4-3 against Kevin Keegan's side at Anfield. The excitement continued with a 3-3 draw in December, where Fabian Schar secured a point for Newcastle. With 33 shots and an expected goals total of 4.08, their upcoming clash at Anfield promises more action.

Mohamed Salah has been outstanding this season, scoring his 25th league goal against Manchester City and assisting Dominik Szoboszlai for another. Salah has scored and assisted in 11 league games this season, setting a Premier League record. He is the first player to achieve this feat in Europe's top five leagues since Lionel Messi in the 2014-15 season.

Liverpool have not lost to Newcastle at Anfield in their last 28 Premier League meetings since April 1994, winning 23 and drawing five. This dominance means Newcastle must break the trend to challenge Liverpool's title pursuit. The Reds have scored 64 goals this season, with an expected goals tally of 60.23, leading Chelsea by nearly eight.

Newcastle recently bounced back from a heavy defeat to Manchester City by beating Nottingham Forest 4-3. Despite leading 4-1 at halftime, they had to hold on for victory. Eddie Howe's team boasts the sixth-best defence with an expected goals against figure of 33.59, while Liverpool's defence ranks second behind Arsenal with a figure of 24.8.

Salah is crucial for Liverpool, having scored four goals in his last two matches against Newcastle. He aims to become the first player since Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score multiple goals in three consecutive games against one opponent. Alexander Isak is Newcastle's key player, reaching 50 Premier League goals faster than most and becoming the top-scoring Swede in league history.

Liverpool have been formidable at home during midweek games, winning their last 12 by an aggregate score of 35-6 since losing three consecutive matches between January and March 2021. Meanwhile, Newcastle have struggled away on Wednesdays, losing 13 of their last 17 such matches.

Newcastle's Challenge

Newcastle have not beaten Liverpool in their last 16 Premier League encounters since December 2015 under Steve McClaren. They also struggle against teams leading the table, winning just once in their last 27 attempts against such sides since December 2014 when they defeated Chelsea.

Despite these challenges, Newcastle have won their last two evening kick-offs in the Premier League against Manchester United and Wolves. Players like Anthony Gordon and Alexander Isak could pose threats under the lights at Anfield.

Liverpool's Offensive Prowess

Liverpool have scored at least twice in each of their last 17 home games across all competitions. The last English top-flight team with a longer streak was Sunderland with a run of scoring twice or more in consecutive matches between February and December 1935.

The Opta supercomputer gives Liverpool a strong chance of winning Wednesday's match with a probability of victory at nearly 60%. Newcastle holds a win likelihood of just over 20%, while the chance of a draw stands slightly higher than that.

Salah continues to lead Liverpool's charge as they maintain their largest lead over second place since they were champions in the final day of the 2019-20 campaign. With players like Szoboszlai contributing significantly alongside Salah, Liverpool remain formidable opponents for any team visiting Anfield.