Alexander Isak has been ruled out of Newcastle’s clash with Liverpool through injury.
The Newcastle striker has been one of the Premier League’s standout performers this season, netting 19 times in 24 games, with only Mohamed Salah outscoring the Swede in the top flight.
But Isak is struggling with a ‘slight groin problem’ and has been left out of the Magpies’ squad altogether for this evening’s eagerly anticipated contest between first and sixth.
The 25-year-old had featured in all but two of Eddie Howe’s starting line-ups in the league prior to tonight’s clash on Merseyside.
Eddie Howe has named Callum Wilson in his place, with the England international making his first start of the top-flight campaign after returning from a hamstring problem.
Wilson, who came on as a late substitute in Newcastle 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, will be flanked by Anthony Gordon and Jacob Murphy in the visitors’ attack.
‘Alexander Isak misses out through a slight groin problem this evening,’ Newcastle’s official X account confirmed ahead of kick-off.
Liverpool and Newcastle starting XIs
Liverpool: Alisson, Van Dijk, Konate, Diaz, Szoboszlai, Mac Allister, Salah, Jota, Tsimikas, Gravenberch, Alexander-Arnold
Subs: Kelleher, Endo, Nunez, Chiesa, Jones, Gakpo, Elliott, Robertson, Quansah
Newcastle: Pope, Hall, Burn, Schar, Livramento, Willock, Tonali, Guimaraes, Gordon, Wilson, Murphy
Subs: Barnes, Dubravka, Krafth, Longstaff, Miley, Osula, Ruddy, Targett, Trippier
League leaders Liverpool, meanwhile, have made two changes to the team that beat Manchester City at the weekend, with Diogo Jota and Konstantinos Tsimikas coming in for Curtis Jones and Andy Robertson respectively.
Arne Slot’s men hold an imperious 11-point advantage over second-placed Arsenal in the table heading into the clash and will hope to extend that lead by the end of the evening.
The Reds have suffered just one defeat all season but have dropped points in two of their last four matches, away to Everton and Aston Villa.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Liverpool head coach Slot had been full of praise for Isak, though stressed that Newcastle had dangerous players all over the pitch.
‘It is an understatement to say Isak is in fine form. I think he is in excellent form,’ the Dutchman told reporters.
‘The team performance will help us control him. The more ball possession we have the more, the easier it is to control him, although he is definitely a threat on counter-attacks.
‘The good thing for us is that we have two very good centre-backs, who are probably one of the best players to play against him. We have two very good centre-backs and that is definitely what you need when you face a striker with the quality of Isak.
‘Really high intense tempo in the game That helps No.9 as well because the better your team-mates are the more chances you get.’
Slot added: ‘He is not the only offensive threat they have. I think [Anthony] Gordon at right wing is a big threat. It is not only about him but he is definitely having a great season.
‘But it is not only about him; I like the style of play Eddie Howe has introduced. They are always a team who has a very good game plan, they are really intense with or without the ball.’
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