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We have to be 'near-perfect' at Anfield, says Howe
Eddie Howe says Newcastle United will have to be "near-perfect" at Liverpool on Monday night as they bid to banish the memory of a pair of painful recent defeats to the Reds.
The Magpies head to Anfield for their first outing of 2024 (8pm kick-off) on the back of a three-match winless run in all competitions.
And two of their most recent encounters with Liverpool have both ended in late losses to Jurgen Klopp's men - a 2-1 reverse on Merseyside in August 2022 and a similar stoppage time defeat at St. James' Park 12 months later.
United head coach Howe says his charges will need to turn in a performance of the highest level if they're to see off the Premier League leaders, who are unbeaten in their last 12 league games.
Here are some of the topics that were up for discussion when Howe met the media at Newcastle's Benton training centre on Friday morning:
On his side's injury news...
"(Joe) Willock and (Harvey) Barnes continue to work behind the scenes back from their respective injuries, but no immediate update on them. Jamaal (Lascelles) we don't think it's serious and we hope he'll be back fairly soon."
On the need to put an end to Liverpool's recent dominance in this fixture...
"There've been a couple of painful games against Liverpool, for sure - the game last season at Anfield was particularly tough for us. This season wasn't any easier. I think the positive thing in both of those games is we performed really well and were competitive, and gave Liverpool a really good game.
"I think, for us, we need to be near-perfect in this game. I think this is a really tough game for us. They've performed really well at home especially, they're consistent, a really good team. So for us, the challenge is that we need to re-find our best form and we need to be mentally very strong."
On the difference in the challenge posed by Klopp's men...
"I think every game is different, every style is different. Liverpool have a way of playing that they've played very well for a number of years. They've slightly tweaked in terms of system but the style is very similar. It's intense, it's unrelenting, and we have to be really, really good tactically, so the preparation is important. The delivery is always the most important thing so it's up to us all to get it right."
On the return of Joelinton, who came off the bench against Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day...
"I think whenever you lose a player of Joe's quality, or someone like that, and you're without those qualities in your team you realise how important they are - not that we ever needed confirmation of that, but sometimes it's felt harder, especially with some of the other players we've got missing.
"Joe came on and made a little cameo for ten or 15 minutes and showed what he can bring - his ability in duels, and to bring that fight in the middle of the pitch is something we missed in the game, so fingers crossed we can keep him fit."
On his side's schedule, which sees the Magpies face an FA Cup tie against Sunderland in the middle of league games against Liverpool and Manchester City...
"They're tough games coming up, of course, but they're the games you relish. I think we've had a lot of those games this season against very good teams so we're not daunted by it - we will attack it and give it our best shot.
"Recent results have been a challenge for us - the last couple of performances haven't been as good as they can be - so we're determined to get back and produce our best football."
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