Eddie Howe thinks that Newcastle will have to play near a “perfect game” to take over Liverpool in Anfield.
The Reds are on the right track to guarantee the title of Premier League after having extended their advance at the top of the table at 11 points during the weekend.
The men of Arne Slot were impressive in the way they sent Manchester City 2-0 on Sunday, but at home they were also imperative, with their only loss in the championship in Anfield to come in September against Nottingham Forest.
Howe knows its side, which is currently level on points with Manchester City in fifth, knows that they must manage the emotion of playing in Liverpool.
The boss of Toon said: “We must be close to a perfect game from our point of view.
“Learning from the recent match against Manchester City would be a good starting point for us where we have not executed the aggressive game plan that we wanted and we do not take the game well enough.
“We have to learn from Anfield, which is an excellent environment for playing football but not good if you are not completely there.
“We have to recognize it and make sure we arrive. Psychologically, it’s huge. It’s an emotional stage, we will have to start, and we have to have a threat in the game. “
Eddie Howe on the current battle for European places:
“It’s very interesting, an interesting mixture of teams. Some that you are waiting to be there, some who are there have experienced an exceptional season. I just think from our point of view; We are there to fight for these places. »» pic.twitter.com/ctsvtzn88q
– Newcastle United (@NUFC) February 25, 2025
Howe: Stop Salah a “challenge”
Wednesday evening, from Newcastle to obtain a result at Merseyside could depend on the way they deal with Mohamed Salah, who continues to have an extraordinary season for the Reds.
The Egyptian striker scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists in 27 Premier League games and found the net in his last six competition games.
On the way they stop the 32 -year -old man, Howe added: “It’s going to be a challenge for us. It is still not due to an individual from the team, although he naturally comes up against an opponent, this is the team that supports this area on the ground.
“I think against Arsenal at the house in the Carabao cup is an excellent match on which to think. We defended in two, three, four. We had a mentality that we wanted to defend our goal at the highest level.
“I don’t think we’ve always had this in recent weeks, but we’ll need it in this game.”
Howe: the inconsistency was frustrating
Newcastle has suffered incoherent in recent times, after winning three and has lost three in their last six Premier League games.
The contrasting form they showed may have been better summarized in their last match against Forest, when they reached four goals in the first half before a second disappointing period saw them almost making their lead in a 4-3 victory.
Howe added: “He was there all the season to a certain extent. There are games that we have been frustrated with ourselves. But, when you hear the statistics of 13 out of 16 victories, it is not an inconsistent team. I would certainly resume this in the next 16 games.
“I try to be very honest and recognize that we were inconsistent sometimes and Sunday [the 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest] reflected this. “”
Newcastle Team News
Howe said that midfielder Sandro Tonali “came well” in his appearance of a substitute against the forest and that he “plans that he will now be in good shape”.
Defender Sven Botman “also improves” and will be “very close” to Liverpool’s game.
On Jelinton’s physical condition, Howe said: “With Joe, it’s similar to Sven, he improves and goes really well and grows. It is another player who could be quite close. »»
“He has these key aspects that we have missed when he is not there, his physique and his strength there is an obvious presence that is lacking in our midfielder. Joey is a massive player for us. »»
