Liverpool vs Newcastle United Preview: 'Backspace' moments in store

As a rejuvenated Liverpool side take on an out-0f-form Newcastle United at Anfield , expect an exciting game this Sunday as both teams will fight it out for three points with the season reaching its climax. Liverpool are currently sixth in the Premier League table and they are not going to throw the towel in yet as they believe they can reach the top 4 to qualify for next year’s Champion League surpassing Manchester City and Tottenham. Although the chances of that happening are slim, Kenny Dalglish’s men believe they ought to try their best. To keep their slim chances of Champions League qualification alive, they must beat the Magpies first who can punch above their weight on any given day.

For Newcastle United, the underlying storyline is the Andy Carroll conundrum. Andy Carroll, who grew from a boy in the Championship into a man in the Premier League as Newcastle won promotion, made a transfer request last January and was bought by Liverpool for 35mil. Carroll’s raw physical strength and aerial prowess were instrumental in Newcastle punching above their weight early on in the season. On Sunday, when Carroll faces his old team the Magpies will be looking to prove to the world that they can win without Carroll by beating Liverpool.

‘BACKSPACE’ MOMENTS

As for the man in question, Andy Carroll will be looking at his boyhood club this Sunday as though he was hitting the ‘Backspace’ button on the keyboard. It’s been three months since he left the Toons to join the Reds and now he has to welcome his old club at Anfield. What will be on the faces of his former team mates and the Newcastle fans? We will just have to see what happens this Sunday. Carroll has begun scoring goals in the Red shirt and will look to continue his form by putting his emotions aside against his boyhood club.

Will be battling for emotions as he greets his former team mates

Kenny Dalglish on the other hand was a former Newcastle United manager and he will welcome his old team with open arms. He too will be pressing the Backspace button as he sees that familiar black and white stripes jersey. He has also made the topic of Carroll more interesting as he told the lad to “accept any abuse as compliments”. Dalglish said,

“They will react in whatever way they want and it is a compliment in a strange way, if you do get abuse, because it means you must have been important to them. I think the boy is expecting something, but it won’t take away from what he has done for their football club and it won’t take away what the football club meant to Andy. I don’t know what they will do on Sunday but if, as a player, you don’t get abuse off your old supporters then they can’t have been too disappointed you left. I’m sure when Newcastle signed Alan Shearer they didn’t give too much consideration to Blackburn Rovers fans, but that’s football. What goes around comes around”.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Liverpool: Maxi Rodriguez

In-form Maxi Rodriguez will be Liverpool's man to watch

The return of old friends aside for King Kenny and Carroll, both Liverpool and Newcastle have so much going for them. As for Liverpool, they have been doing fine lately especially after they won 5-0 last week against Birmingham. Maxi Rodriguez scored his first hat-trick for the club after being in patchy form for too long and the Argentine winger will be looking forward for more goals and make use of Newcastle’s poor form. He will hence be my Liverpool player to watch.

Many pundits contend that Andy Carroll will be the player to watch, I chose to disagree on that as I expect Andy Carroll to ‘stutter’ as Torres did when he faced his former club Liverpool. Maxi on the other hand will be on fire in the game especially after the hat-trick and I am putting my money on him carrying his momentum forward.

Newcastle: Joey Barton

Joey Barton will have to put up his best performance if Newcastle are to beat Liverpool

This lad pronounced himself as the best midfielder in England a couple weeks back and every pair of eyes in the stadium will focus on this player to see why he is the ‘Best’ midfielder. Barton’s hard-tackling abilities and leadership skills will come in handy for Newcastle who have been missing their talismanic striker up front. Ever since Carroll’s departure, it has been Barton who has stepped up to the plate and it will be vital for the Englishman to put in his best performance if Newcastle are to stop Liverpool. Expect banners and chants from Liverpool fans if he fails to produce quality and what more if he does his bad attitude that redefines him this season.

With plenty of dramatic story lines attached to it, this match is a must watch in what should be an exciting week of football.

Edited by Zico