Good evening and welcome to live coverage of Newcastle vs Liverpool at St James’ Park. The last few days have seen the actual football overshadowed by a string of Covid-19 stories as Premier League positive tests arrive alarmingly regularly while infection rates soar in the UK. This evening’s earlier kick-off between Fulham and Spurs was the second of the midweek fixtures to be called off… but more on that later. First up it’s team news time.
Premier League / Matchday 16
St James' Park / 30.12.2020
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Live
Live Updates
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Updated 30/12/2020 at 21:56 GMT
18'
Yedlin caught Robertson on the ankle in the follow-through of that shot and there’s a short pause while the full-back receives treatment.
17'
The ball falls to Yedlin inside the box and he takes the shot on first time, sliding it wide of the far post. There’s a chance that was a shot that could have doubled as a cross, it’s hard to tell what Yedlin was trying, but once again it’s a dangerous situation that Newcastle have created for themselves.
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Image credit: Getty Images
16'
Milner has a pop from distance but it’s a comfortable save for Darlow.
13'
Wilson makes Phillips look a bit silly with a superb run that brushes the centre-back aside. The angle at the end of the run is quite a tight one for a shot, but it still takes Fabinho to come across and deny the Newcastle forward with a last-ditch block.
12'
Clark drags back Milner and picks up the first booking of the game. That’s very early to be getting a yellow against a team as dangerous as this Liverpool side.
9'
The snow is falling a little heavier now. It’s not likely to settle at this rate but these won’t be pleasant conditions for the players. (It could make for some nice photos though!)
8'
Newcastle deal well with a brace of corners before Salah is caught offside as Milner tries to keep the pressure on.
6'
Robertson whips a decent cross into the Newcastle box and Ritchie takes no chances, turning it behind for a corner.
5'
Newcastle have had the better of the early exchanges and it’s Wilson again who has Alisson scrambling with a header from a free-kick that slides past the far post.
3'
Callum Wilson forces Alisson into early action with a cross-turned-shot that needs to be tipped over the bar. The delivery from the resulting corner is decent but the Liverpool goal isn’t troubled by a wayward header.
1st Half
1'
The game gets underway with Liverpool in their usual all-red strip and Newcastle in their black and white stripes.
The players take a knee as flakes of snow fall from the Newcastle sky and we’re all set for kick-off.
The stadium might be empty, but that doesn’t stop the usual saxophone solo in Mark Knopfler’s ‘Going Home’ from echoing around St James’. Banger of a tune this, let’s be honest.
Liverpool’s manager has enjoyed a remarkable year, leading the club to its first Premier League title and first domestic league crown in 30 years. He’ll be keen to ensure that the disappointing draw to West Brom last time out doesn’t set the tone for a drab ending to the year though, with tonight’s game being Liverpool’s (and the Premier League’s) last of 2020.
Newcastle’s disappointing recent run has seen pressure build on Steve Bruce. He’s spoken to tonight’s broadcasters and says he understands what ultimately will decide whether he’s a success at the club or not. There might be a hint of truth to what he's saying, but whether the fans will like that sort of thinking is another matter.
That’s the situation as it stands though, so for now let’s park the Covid chat and concentrate on this game.
The Premier League have released a statement this evening suggesting that they are currently happy for the scheduled fixtures to continue in coming weeks as planned. But as we know after a 2020 that has ripped up the rulebook, that position could certainly change.
Just under half an hour to go until kick-off and the players are out warming up (and that is no small task in freezing Newcastle this evening!).
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Newcastle on the other hand are going through a sticky patch and could have done without back-to-back games against Man City and Liverpool. Steve Bruce’s side put in a decent if toothless showing in their 2-0 loss at the Etihad on Boxing Day, but will be hoping to offer slightly more in the way of attacking threat this evening when they get the opportunity.