Liverpool are aiming to record back-to-back victories in the Premier League when they travel to Newcastle United on Saturday.
The Reds finally earned a league win in 2023 when defeating Everton 2-0 in the Merseyside derby earlier this week. Mo Salah and Cody Gakpo were on target at Anfield.
Now Jurgen Klopp will be hoping that his side’s performance he was highly satisfied with isn’t a false dawn. Liverpool have underwhelmed throughout the season and sit just ninth in the table.
However, with 17 games to play, the Reds won’t be giving up on a top-four finish and qualifying for next campaign’s Champions League.
It’s Newcastle who currently occupy fourth spot, with Liverpool nine points behind. But a win at St James’ Park will see Klopp’s troops narrow the gap and have a game in hand.
Injuries have plagued the Reds throughout the season but the treatment room is starting to clear. Diogo Jota and Rberto Firmino both came off the bench against Everton while Virgil van Dijk was an unused substitute.
Ahead of the Newcastle game, here’s the latest on the injury front.
1. KIRKBY, ENGLAND - JANUARY 05: (THE SUN OUT, THE SUN ON SUNDAY OUT) Darwin Nunez and Ibrahima Konate of Liverpool during a training session at AXA Training Centre on January 05, 2023 in Kirkby, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images)
2. Darwin Nunez - shoulder
The forward felt a recurrence of his issue he suffered against Newcastle earlier this month. Nunez had an injection to feature against Real and much will depend on the pain his problem his causing him. Potential return game: Wolves (H), Wed March 1.
3. Joe Gomez - hamstring
The centre-back walked straight down the tunnel when subbed against Real Madrid. Klopp admitted Gomez has a muscle injury and missed the Palace draw. Potential return game: Wolves (H), Wed March 1. Photo: Liverpool, England. (Photo by Andrew Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images
4. Ibrahima Konate - hamstring
The defender has returned to training but was not named in the squad against Palace due - presumably as he was not ready. Potential return game: Wolves (H), Wednesday 1 March. Photo: John Powell/Liverpool FC via Getty Images