Liverpool v Newcastle: Reds to extend Anfield record over Toon

Liverpool and Newcastle have played out some of the most exciting games in Premier League history over the last twenty years.

But entertainment won’t be too high on Anfield manager Brendan Rodgers’ agenda this time, and his Liverpool side are hard to argue with for victory at 4/7.

A mid-week League Cup exit at the hands of old club Swansea ramps up the pressure on the Northern Irishman ahead of Newcastle’s trip to Merseyside, although he can be confident of finding some welcome relief.

Liverpool have a near flawless record at home against the Magpies, having won 15 of their last 17 fixtures when welcoming the Geordie outfit to Anfield.

The last time Newcastle tasted victory on their travels in this Premier League fixture was back in 1994, when even club legend Alan Shearer was still a Blackburn Rovers hero.

Things have changed plenty since then, but the match result in this game seems to have stayed a constant, with Liverpool winning the last seven straight clashes with the Toon on home soil.

2-0 and 3-0 are favoured scorelines, and either one or the other has been the final result in five of their last six Merseyside meetings.

If you fancy 2-0 this time that can be backed at 7/1, while 3-0 is priced at 11/1, and safer 7/4 odds are available for a home win to nil.

Newcastle are way out at 5/1 to achieve an uncharacteristic victory at Anfield, whilst a draw between the two closely placed Premier League sides is found at 11/4.

Neither side’s defence has been particularly mean this season, with just three clean sheets earned between them from 18 league matches.

Therefore whatever the outcome, backing both teams to score should be encouraged, as a price of 8/11 offers a decent potential return for two attack-minded outfits.

Both clubs were last defeated in the Premier League by Manchester United, although they have both recovered some form since slipping up against Red Devils.

Newcastle are unbeaten in their last three matches in all competitions, while Liverpool haven’t been defeated in four league outings despite some inconsistent performances in the cups.

Both sides are set to miss two key players each, with Pepe Reina and Glen Johnson doubtful for the home side, and Cheick Tioté suspended for the visitors who are also sweating on the fitness of top-scorer Demba Ba.

Luis Suárez is the clear favourite in the goal markets, and he could add to his campaign tally of nine with the first strike at 4/1 or anytime at 11/10.

With Ba unlikely to start for Newcastle, the goalscoring burden falls on his international team-mate Papiss Cissé, who is 8/1 to open the scoring and 5/2 to find the net at anytime during the 90 minutes.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.