The stress might be palpable on Tyneside come Monday evening as Newcastle prepare to welcome Premier League champions Liverpool to St James’ Park.
As if being the very best team within the land last season wasn’t enough, and a serious set of summer signings to spice up their squad, the Reds are still on the trail of Newcastle’s wantaway striker Alexander Isak.
The Swedish frontman will play no part on this game, but his name might be on every mind as these teams tussle in what needs to be a energetic clash in front of the Sky Sports cameras with a 20:00 start.
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Newcastle vs Liverpool betting suggestions
- Hugo Ekitike to attain first @ 11/2
Reds rule the roost over Magpies
Newcastle took victory within the Carabao Cup final at Wembley in March however it was a rare moment of joy for the Magpies when facing Liverpool.
Before that, Newcastle had gone 17 games and not using a win over the Reds, a run that stretched back to December 2015.
Last season there was a 3-3 thriller at St James’ Park, though Liverpool would have felt they need to have won as a late misjudgement from Caoimhin Kelleher in goal allowed Fabian Schar to show in a leveller from the tightest of angles.
Before that, the Merseysiders had picked up five wins in six Premier League visits to this venue within the North East.
The Anfield side have scored two or more goals in five of the last seven St James’ Park meetings and with their recent array of attacking talent settling in, they will boss Newcastle on their very own patch.
Eddie Howe’s side dominated for big spells against Aston Villa on the opening weekend but, with Isak absent, they were blunt in front of goal.
That is worrying for the hosts, who’ve added midfielder Jacob Ramsey to their roster within the interim, as they’ve now did not rating in three straight Premier League games.
Ekitike grabbing the limelight
With a lot talk over a possible move to Merseyside for Isak, Hugo Ekitike hasn’t wasted any time laying down his marker.
The 23-year-old French ace was impressive for Eintracht Frankfurt last season, netting 15 Bundesliga goals.
He has scored the opener in each the Community Shield against Crystal Palace and the Premier League curtain raiser against Bournemouth.
His cool ending against the Eagles and the Cherries suggests Ekitike has the potential to be the whole lot that the now-departed Darwin Nunez was not in a Liverpool shirt.
Mohamed Salah got his goal late on against Bournemouth last trip and is favourite to attain first, but Ekitike looks brilliant in and across the box and is taken to interrupt the deadlock for the third game running.
Liverpool look to have goals in them and for those looking for to avoid the primary goalscorer gauntlet, Ekitike to seek out the web at any time in a Liverpool win on a ground where they’ve been dominant is available in at 29/10.
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