Newcastle United finished above Liverpool in the Premier League last season, and Paul Merson believes that the Magpies will be ahead once again come the end of this weekend.
Jurgen Klopp‘s side head to St James’ Park for the third game of the new season, having picked up four points from their opening two matches.
They sit a point ahead of Newcastle, who were beaten by Manchester City last weekend. Eddie Howe’s side struggled at the Etihad, with the champions barely giving the Magpies a sniff.
The game against Liverpool should be much closer and a more entertaining affair, mainly because it is at St James’ Park. We are incredible at home, while matches against the Reds are always thrilling encounters.
It is going to be a huge game on Sunday, and it is one that former Arsenal forward Paul Merson actually thinks that Newcastle are going to win.
Paul Merson says Newcastle will beat Liverpool
In his latest column for Sportskeeda, Merson has predicted the scores of this weekend’s Premier League fixtures. He believes that Newcastle are going to beat Liverpool 3-1.
“If Newcastle start this game at a hundred miles an hour, I don’t see Liverpool being able to cope with them,” he wrote.
“They need to turn it on like they did against Aston Villa. I watched Liverpool against Bournemouth last week, and Bournemouth were very good in the first 20 minutes of the game.
“I thought Newcastle would be underachievers this season, but they were brilliant in their first game. They had an opportunity to seize the initiative against Man City, but they didn’t win that game. They’ve had a hard start to their season and if they win this game, they’ll have won six out of nine points – it could set them up for a top-four finish. It would send a message to the rest of the Premier League that they’re a big threat.”
Merson added: “If Newcastle play the way they usually do and start, they can smother Liverpool all over this pitch. If they can make the most of their start, I think they’ll be able to win this game.”
What a result that would be for Newcastle
Newcastle will be confident going into the game against Liverpool, but they are a team that we have struggled against in recent years.
Howe has never beaten Klopp as Newcastle manager, while Liverpool were the only team to do the double over us last season.
There is a bit of edge between the two clubs at the moment, with Klopp aiming a fair few digs at the Magpies. His comments have angered the Toon Army, who will be desperate for their side to get one over the German on Sunday.
To do that, Merson thinks Newcastle need to start fast. He thinks the Magpies can blow Liverpool away in the early stages, and hopefully he is correct.
The pundit sounds fairly confident that Howe’s side are going to win this one, but it certainly will not be as easy as he makes out. This is going to be a very challenging game against a team that have had the beating of us for a long time.
