Newcastle matches see the highest number of corners on average of every team in the league so far this season with 11.14 per game across their 22 matches. They average 6.95 corners per match and have had at least four corners in 82% of their matches, including in each of their last six. At home, they average even more corners – 7.73 – and have had at least four in ten of their eleven games at St James’ Park. The exception was a 4-0 demolition of Aston Villa where the game was wrapped up inside an hour. They have also had a massive eight corners or more in seven of their eleven matches here (64%).

Liverpool games also tend to have plenty of corners – the fifth most of any team. They see 10.10 corners per game and whilst they only tend to concede 3.43 corners per game, this rises to 4.10 away from Anfield. On the road they have conceded four or more corners in seven of their ten matches including conceding seven at Brighton in a heavy 3-0 loss.

Newcastle games also tend to see plenty of cards – averaging 4.14 per match and 4.27 at home. At St James’ Park they receive 1.91 cards per game and have seen at least two in 64% of those games. Across their last six at home, they have seen 2.17 cards per game – receiving two cards in four of those matches. They have also received at least three in two of their last five. In the reverse fixture at Anfield, both Lascelles and Trippier were booked which saw this selection land. They also tend to receive more against better sides. Against the traditional “big six” sides, they have seen 16 cards in six matches this season. This selection has landed in five of them and in both of their home matches against Manchester City (4) and Chelsea (3).

The referee for this game is Anthony Taylor. He has averaged 3.94 cards per game in the Premier League this season and interestingly has given more cards to home sides than visitors – 2.25 per match compared to 1.81 and in 13 of his 16 Premier League matches, he has shown at least two cards to the home side. He has shown at least four cards in four of his last five and six in three of those games. The Englishman is yet to take charge of a Newcastle game this season but has officiated two Liverpool games – their 1-0 victory at home to Manchester City and their 0-0 draw at Goodison Park. He gave four cards in both and two to Everton – who played at home.

Darwin Nunez has come under plenty of scrutiny from the media and Liverpool fans this season after his big money move from Benfica last summer. He averages 1.10 fouls per game and has committed the fourth most fouls of any Liverpool player in the league, despite playing less than 12 full 90 minutes. He has started 12 Premier League matches this season, committing 12 in that time and this selection has landed in ten of the 12. In a smaller sample size since the World Cup, he has started five Premier League matches and has committed at least one foul in four of those games. He has played on the left-hand side and Kieran Trippier, Newcastle’s right back, has been fouled the fifth most of any Newcastle player. As Nunez gets more frustrated with his lack of goals, he can get antagonized easily, and this has meant that he can be suspect to surrendering fouls.

Joelinton was written off after his big money move from Hoffenheim in the summer of 2019. However, his transformation into a top midfielder has been highly impressive given that he was signed as a forward. However, he is suspect to committing fouls and has given away 12 more free kicks than any other Newcastle player this season and is the third highest in the league with 37 – behind only Moises Caicedo (39) and Kai Havertz (41).

He has committed at least one foul in all but one of his matches going back to August 28th and has committed six across his last two games. The Brazilian has started 19 Premier League matches this year, giving away at least a foul in all but one and at least two in ten of the 19, being booked on nine occasions. At Anfield in the reverse fixture, he committed three offenses, and received a booking in both games against the Reds last year – making four fouls. Whilst Thiago is out, Bajcetic should keep his place in the starting lineup having impressed against Everton and he draws 1.94 fouls per game in midfield which should allow Joelinton to get stuck in.