FA Premiership
Sunday 3rd May 2009 @ 1.30pm
Liverpool face Newcastle United at Anfield in the early afternoon kick off on Sunday in a game both sides must win for very different reasons. Newcastle United are staring relegation head-on after a turbulent season off the pitch. Owner Mike Ashley put the club up for sale, slagged off his own fans and then decided to come back. Keegan left, Kinner came in, and after illness and a few games with his assistant taking control the club have decided to plump for inexperienced Alan Shearer to try and guide them out of trouble.
Things have got so dire at Newcastle that 20,000 free flags and scarves were handed out last Monday night at St James Park to try and get the atmosphere going again. They drew with Portsmouth.
Michael Owen, the club captain is believed to already be about to depart the sinking ship with Everton a favoured destination. Liverpool need all three points to keep in with a faint chance of landing the title. The reds could be six points off the top with United playing the day before.
Steven Gerrard is expected to return to the Liverpool side after missing 4 reds games. He has scored 5 times in the last 6 games against Newcastle.
History
Whilst the two consecutive 4-3 Liverpool wins in 1996 and 1997 are part of Premiership folklore – usually at Anfield Newcastle take a beating. The Geordies have won 12 times out of 78 fixtures played at Anfield. Last season Liverpool ran out 3-0 winners and this season’s clash at St James Park was a 5-1 hammering by Liverpool.
Betting
Newcastle certainly don’t have the worst odds of a team coming to Anfield this season.
Liverpool 3/10
Newcastle 9/1
Draw 4/1
Score bets for the reds aren’t too great for this one. Around 6/1 for 1-0, 2-0 and 3-0. You can get 25/1 for a Newcastle 1-0 win.
Paddy Power are offering an impressive free £20 bet when you place a £10 bet. Sign up here.
TV
This game will be broadcast live on Setanta in the UK. Further streams and links will be available nearer kick off in the forum.
Opposition Links
NUFC – Toon Fansite
Newcastle Shirts
Quotes from the Liverpool forum
Ours for the taking really. They are a poor side and although they are fighting for survival we really should beat these, especially at Anfield. If we can beat them 5-1 At St. James’ Park then we can do the same at home. / Ross
Hope people aren’t taking this one too lightly, could be a tight affair and we shouldn’t underestimate them. / Ayrton77
Liverpool 7-0 Newcastle. / chats
Liverpool 7-0 / johnjones
Liverpool v Newcastle Pre Match Discussion