Liverpool face a tough trip to Tyneside today when the Reds face an in-form Newcastle United squad in the Premier League.
Just three days after their 2-0 UEFA Champions League semi-final victory over Villarreal, Liverpool are back in Premier League action against Newcastle, kicking off at 12:30 BST. The Reds ' appeal to the Premier League to push back the fixture was denied, with the clash against the Magpies being Liverpool's ninth game in April.
The last meeting between the two sides saw Jurgen Klopp 's side come from a goal behind to win 3-1 at Anfield, with Trent Alexander-Arnold scoring one of Liverpool's goals of the season. The last time Liverpool suffered defeat at St. James' Park came way back in 2015 during Klopp's first season.
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Roberto Firmino is the only confirmed absentee for Liverpool, with the Brazilian still yet to return to training. Kostas Tsimikas and Curtis Jones are doubtful for the trip to Newcastle, with the duo both suffering from illness.
So, what line-ups will both teams select and what could the final score be? We used FIFA 22 to get a score prediction - and this is what happened.
Newcastle United vs Liverpool score predicted by simulation
We used kick-off mode in FIFA 22, but didn't select a team to control, we then selected the sides and watched the match play out by itself, to give us a score prediction.
We predict that the Magpies could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Dubravka; Krafth, Lascelles, Burn, Targett; Guimaraes, Shelvey, Willock; Almiron, Joelinton, Saint-Maximin.
We predict that Liverpool could set up in a 4-3-3 formation, with their line-up as follows: Alisson; Alexander-Arnold, Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson, Keita; Salah, Jota, Mane.
Liverpool took the lead just five minutes into the clash, with Naby Keita finding the net after a scrappy bit of play inside the box. Mohamed Salah's original shot was blocked and deflected into the centre of the box, and a mix-up between the Magpies backline saw the ball bounce into the path of Keita.
Unmarked in the box, the midfielder struck a powerful volley past the 'keeper and into the bottom corner of the net. Less than five minutes later, the Reds doubled their lead as Salah got on the scoresheet.
Sadio Mane cut inside from the left after beating his man with ease, and as the Senegalese winger approached the box, a hole opened in the Magpies defence. Mane threaded a perfectly-weighted pass into the path of Salah, and the Egyptian struck his shot first time into the roof of the net.
The Reds were in full control, and their lead was extended again 18 minutes in as Salah grabbed his second of the game. Liverpool were cutting through the Magpies midfield with ease, and Jordan Henderson charged through the middle before poking a pass through to Salah.
The winger took the ball into his stride and opted to shoot on his right foot early, catching the 'keeper out and nestling in the net. After providing for Salah on the third goal, Jordan Henderson played a major part in Liverpool's fourth as Klopp's side continued their rampant display.
Some quick passing play outside the box saw Newcastle press high and create a pocket of space for Henderson to run into. The midfielder was picked out by Trent Alexander-Arnold, and his shot from just outside the box beat Martin Dubravka, but the ball hit the post and bounced back into play.
A large stroke of luck saw the ball come back off the post and hit the foot of Dubravka, diverting the ball back towards goal as it trickled into the net. Liverpool were in full control as Eddie Howe's side struggled to leave their half, and just before the break, Fabinho made it 5-0 to the Reds.
Some poor marking from the Magpies midfield saw Fabinho ghost into the box and meet Alexander-Arnold's cross from deep, heading the ball past the onrushing Dubravka, sending Liverpool into half-time five goals ahead. The Magpies came out the second-half looking much better as they created a few chances, but Liverpool managed to grab a sixth with 15 minutes remaining.
Diogo Jota picked up the ball outside the box and turned towards goal, but the Portugal international was quickly closed down as he was challenged for the ball. Luckily for Liverpool, the tackle saw the ball ricocheted back towards the Newcastle box, sending substitute Divock Origi through on goal.
After taking one touch out of his feet, Origi blasted his effort past the 'keeper at the near post and into the top corner for six. Newcastle failed to reply as the Reds saw the victory out.
FIFA 22 predicted final score: Newcastle United 0-6 Liverpool
Here are the full-time match stats.
FIFA 22 predicts that Liverpool could produce one of their most dominant displays of the season on Saturday, with a rampant first-half seeing the Reds score five times in a 6-0 win. As always, Liverpool are predicted to have plenty of chances on goal, but this time round, everything fell for Jurgen Klopp's men in a statement win.
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