Eddie Howe believes Newcastle will need to play close to a “perfect game” to get the better of Liverpool at Anfield.
The Reds are on course to secure the Premier League title after extending their lead at the top of the table to 11 points over the weekend.
Arne Slot’s men were impressive in the way they dispatched Manchester City 2-0 on Sunday but at home they have also been imperious, with their only league defeat at Anfield coming in September against Nottingham Forest.
Howe knows his side, who are currently level on points with Manchester City in fifth, know they need to manage the emotion of playing away at Liverpool.
The Toon boss said: “We need to be close to a perfect game from our perspective.
“Learning from the recent game against Manchester City would be a good starting point for us where we didn’t execute the agressive gameplan that we wanted and we dodn’t attack the game well enough.
“We need to learn from that at Anfield which is a great environment to play football in but not good if you’re not totally there.
“We have to acknowledge that and make sure we turn up. Psychologically it’s huge. It’s an emotional stadium, we’re going to need to start well, and we need to have a threat in the game.”
Eddie Howe on the current battle for European places:
“It is very interesting, an interesting mix of teams. Some you expect to be there, some who are there having had an outstanding season. I think just from our viewpoint; we’re in there fighting for those places.” pic.twitter.com/CtsVTzN88Q
— Newcastle United (@NUFC) February 25, 2025
Howe: Stopping Salah a ‘challenge’
Newcastle’s hopes of getting a result in Merseyside on Wednesday night could hinge on how they deal with Mohamed Salah, who continues to have an extraordinary season for the Reds.
The Egyptian forward has scored 25 goals and provided 16 assists in 27 Premier League games and has found the net in his last six games in the competition.
On how they stop the 32-year-old, Howe added: “That’s going to be a challenge for us. It’s always not down to any one individual in the team, although he will naturally come up against one opponent, it’s about the team supporting that area of the pitch.
“I think against Arsenal at home in the Carabao Cup is a great game to reflect on. We defended in twos, threes, fours. We had a mentality that we wanted to defend our goal to the highest level.
“I don’t think we’ve consistently had that in recent weeks but we’re going to need that in this game.”
Howe: Inconsistency has been frustrating
Newcastle have suffered from inconsistent form of late, having won three and lost three in their last six Premier League games.
The contrasting form they have shown was perhaps best summed up in their last game against Forest, when they hit four goals in the first half before an underwhelming second period saw them almost surrender their lead in a 4-3 victory.
Howe added: “It’s been there all season to a degree. There’s been games we’ve been frustrated at ourselves. But, when you hear the statistic of 13 wins out of 16 that’s not an inconsistent team. I’d certainly take that again in the next 16 games.
“I try to be very honest and acknowledge we have been inconsistent at times and Sunday [the 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest] reflected that.”
Newcastle team news
Howe said midfielder Sandro Tonali “came through fine” in his substitute appearance against Forest and he “anticipates he will now be fully fit”.
Defender Sven Botman is also “improving quickly” and will be “very close” for the Liverpool game.
On Joelinton’s fitness, Howe said: “With Joe, it’s similar to Sven he is really improving and doing really well and pushing. He is another player who could be quite close.”
“He has those key aspects that we have missed when he’s not there, his physicality and strength there is an obvious presence missing in our midfield. Joey is a massive player for us.”