Liverpool XI vs. Newcastle: Van Dijk’s Mystery Partner—Injury News, Predicted Lineup

The Reds continue to hunt a first Premier League win of 2026.

Liverpool are struggling for numbers in defence. | Robbie Jay Barratt/AMA/Getty Images

After five Premier League matches without victory, Liverpool must make significant improvements for Saturday clash with Newcastle United at Anfield.

Four successive draws and the defeat to Bournemouth piled further pressure on Arne Slot, though that has been somewhat eased by emphatic European wins over Marseille and Qarabağ. The Reds enter the weekend in sixth having been leapfrogged by Manchester United and Chelsea.

The reverse fixture between Liverpool and Newcastle produced fireworks as Rio Ngumoha was an unlikely hero in a 3–2 win, with Slot hopeful of a similar outcome but more convincing result this Saturday.

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Match Snapshot

• 🕒 Kick-off time: 8 p.m. GMT, 3 p.m. ET, 12 p.m. PT
• 📍 Location: Anfield
• 🏆 Competition: Premier League
• 📊 Recent form: DDDDL

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Team News

Jeremie Frimpong has joined the absentee list. | Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside/Getty Images

• ⚠️ Key absentees, doubts: Alexander Isak, Conor Bradley, Joe Gomez, Ibrahima Konaté, Jeremie Frimpong, Curtis Jones
• 🔢 Predicted formation: 4-2-3-1

Liverpool’s injury issues were exacerbated by Jeremie Frimpong’s fourth-minute withdrawal in Wednesday’s 6–0 thrashing of Qarabağ. The Dutchman appears certain to miss the weekend as Liverpool assess the severity of his problem.

Frimpong joins fellow right back Conor Bradley on the sidelines, the Northern Irishman out for the season, while there are issues at centre back, too. Giovanni Leoni will also miss the remainder of campaign with an ACL tear, Joe Gomez is a major injury doubt for the Newcastle clash and Ibrahima Konaté has missed the last three games following the tragic passing of his father.

Curtis Jones missed Wednesday’s game through illness and remains a doubt, while there will be no spiky reunion with Newcastle for Alexander Isak who is still sidelined with a broken leg.

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Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Newcastle (4-2-3-1)

Liverpool’s squad is stretched to its limit. | FotMob

GK: Alisson—Even Liverpool’s better performances this season have often required Alisson heroics, but the Brazilian really did have an incredibly straightforward evening on Wednesday.

RB: Dominik Szoboszlai—With Frimpong, Bradley and possibly Gomez missing, it appears a straight shootout between Wataru Endo and Szoboszlai as emergency right back cover. Up against Anthony Gordon’s speed, the Hungarian appears a wiser choice.

CB: Wataru Endo—Slot has revealed he hopes to call upon Konaté soon, but the Frenchman can obviously not be rushed back into the fold. Liverpool will be keen for the centre back to feature, with Endo likely to cover if Gomez is also unavailable..

CB: Virgil van Dijk—Van Dijk was dreadful at Bournemouth but earned redemption with an unlikely hat-trick of assists against Qarabağ. The Dutchman is preparing for an awkward battle with Nick Woltemade or Yoane Wissa.

LB: Milos Kerkez—Andy Robertson impressed midweek as he appears set to stay at Anfield until the end of the season at least, but Kerkez could return having been an unused substitute on Wednesday.

DM: Ryan Gravenberch—Gravenberch was used at centre back against Qarabağ and easily could have given away a penalty in his unfamiliar role. The Netherlands international may return to midfield with Szoboszlai’s potential role change.

DM: Alexis Mac Allister—Mac Allister has been nowhere near his usual level this season but a confidence-boosting brace midweek could lift his spirits.

RW: Mohamed Salah—Salah scored his first goal since Nov. 1 as he bent a beautiful free kick into the top corner midweek and Slot will hope that the Egyptian’s stunner marks the beginning of a purple patch in front of goal.

AM: Florian Wirtz—It’s now seven goal contributions in the last ten outings for Wirtz, who continues to show signs of improvement in a red shirt. Another well-taken goal midweek will further boost his confidence.

LW: Cody Gakpo—Gakpo has come under fire lately and for good reason given his general drop in standards and growing predictability from the left wing. He will be eager to silence his naysayers on Saturday in a crucial fixture.

ST: Hugo Ekitiké—Ekitiké starred with an assist and goal against Qarabağ as he continues to thrive in English football. The striker scored at St James’ Park back in August and will cause all sorts of issues for the Newcastle backline.

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