Liverpool v Newcastle, Sunday 3rd May 13:30
Thirteen years ago these two teams played each other in what has since been billed as the best Premiership game ever. In this fixture in April 1996 Stan Collymore scored a last minute winner to beat the Geordies 4:3 and to dent their premiership title bid. Tomorrow however both sets of fans would be overjoyed with a boring 1:0 victory over the other. Shearer’s Toon Army are of course desperate for 3 points, which could be the lifeline they need to scrabble out of the relegation zone (if Hull also lose tomorrow). As the Scousers are going into this fixture 6 points behind Manchester United, they also need to win if they are to retain any hope of topping the Premiership this season.
Newcastle’s form this season has been particularly poor. They are without are without a win in nine matches and have gained just two points from a possible 12 under Shearer. They have drawn the most fixtures in the Premiership this season (thirteen) and have won the fewest (six). Jose Enrique’s hamstring injury from the Portsmouth match means that Shearer has no recognised left-back available in his squad and may have to use Damien Duff in this role instead. Steven Taylor is also injured leaving Fabricio Coloccini and Sebastien Bassong to shore up the defence. Shearer’s three pronged attack of Michael Owen, Obafemi Martins and Mark Viduka are all still available, but it remains to be seen whether he will risk such an attacking formation.
Liverpool will however be welcoming back their inspirational captain Steven Gerrard after an absence of 4 matches. Rafa has stated that “the team were doing well without Stevie, but everyone knows we are stronger with him on the pitch. He is a player who can changes games and is very important for us.” With or without Gerrard, Liverpool’s form this season has been impressive. They are only club with an unbeaten home Premier League record this season (10 wins, seven draws) and have only lost two games this season (the best record in the Premiership). Gerrard and Fernando Torres are joint top scorers in the league this season, with 13 goals apiece. Given the quality of this attack coupled with the injuries to Newcastle’s defence and adding in need to win to keep up the heat on Manchester United, it seems unlikely that the Geordies will be returning home with anything but disappointment.