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After both stuttering to fairly disappointing seasons last time out, you may have thought both Newcastle and Liverpool would try to go all out to land some big names in the transfer window this summer.
Not so. In fact, both have been surprisingly quiet, with Newcastle United pinning their hopes on replacing the likes of Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon with six new signings aged 24 or younger.
That half-dozen has never tasted life in the Premier League before, nor has new Magpies head coach Matthias Jaissle – another surprise as the replacement for Eddie Howe.
Liverpool, meanwhile, have lost some big personalities of their own in Mohamed Salah, Ibrahima Konate and Andy Robertson. The difference here is that Salah and Robertson are, arguably, past their prime, while Konate’s defensive standards dropped off markedly last term.
The early season games are exploratory for everyone, including punters, but the sense is that Liverpool head into the campaign in finer fettle than Newcastle.
Newcastle v Liverpool tips
Liverpool to win @ 19/20 (Bet365)
Liverpool to score 2+ @ 8/13 (Bet365)
Florian Wirtz to score or assist @ 21/20 (Bet365)
Odds courtesy of Bet365. Correct at the time of publication and subject to change.
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Reds renaissance
Having been successful wherever he’s coached, Liverpool fans will be hoping Andoni Iraola is able to sprinkle his magic dust on the Reds.
He might just have walked into an ideal first competitive game here, against a beleaguered Newcastle side that has the look of a team on the way down; rather than one that will experience any kind of renaissance.
Influential figures Guimaraes, Tonali and Gordon are gone, Joelinton and Tino Livramento are injured and Lewis Miley is unlikely to be fit enough to play here following his broken leg months ago.
With other squad players allowed to leave on a free in the summer, it leaves the Magpies bafflingly short of quality and quantity – baffling in the sense that this is, remember, effectively the richest football club on the planet, which is hampered by the Premier League's Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR).
Opportunity knocks for Liverpool then, who could benefit from the youthful zest of Jeremy Jacquet and Rio Ngumoha, who both may well start on Sunday.
Opportunity knocks for Liverpool then, who could benefit from the youthful zest of Jeremy Jacquet and Rio Ngumoha, who both may well start on Sunday.
And the stage is set for Alexander Isak, who is fit and primed for a return to his former club. Given the fallout when he left Newcastle, you suspect the Swede will be desperate to impress on his return to the North East – particularly given his injury-hit maiden campaign with the Reds.
With a sense that Florian Wirtz will also kick on this term following a below-par debut season, Liverpool are surely in a much better place than Newcastle right now.
Tip: Liverpool to win @ 19/20 (Bet365)
Explanation: Our bet lands if Liverpool win the game by any scoreline.
On the Front Foot
Bournemouth rarely had trouble finding the net under Iraola.
There will be a change of tactics from the Spaniard at Liverpool, with his trademark vertical football replaced by a more possession-based game with the Reds.
But his ability to unlock defences tactically will come in handy, and with Isak-Wirtz potentially set to blossom as a 9-10 pairing – with Cody Gakpo joining them, barring a late transfer enquiry – Iraola might just reintroduce the Reds to an attacking mentality that yields immediate results.
The Spaniard also has a happy knack for developing young wide players too, so watch out for Ngumoha too – this could be his breakout season.
Newcastle may well lack steel in midfield, while the absence of a recognised right back – plus a debutant goalkeeper in Lukas Hornicek – could leave the hosts vulnerable in defence.
Tip: Liverpool to score 2+ @ 8/13 (Bet365)
Explanation: Our bet lands if Liverpool score two or more goals, irrespective of the final result.
Newcastle's Wirtz case scenario
Football fans love a narrative, so who would be shocked if Isak scored on his return to St James’s Park?
But preference is for Wirtz to score or assist. The German found the net against Leeds and Monaco in pre-season and resembles a man reborn under Iraola.
At his very best, Wirtz is a world-class talent… as Newcastle may find out to their cost.
Tip: Florian Wirtz to score or assist @ 21/20 (Bet365)
Explanation: Our bet lands if Florian Wirtz scores or assists a goal.
Newcastle v Liverpool: Match result odds
These odds, correct at the time of publication, are subject to change.
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