'Even more than normal': Liverpool boss makes squad depth admission ahead of Newcastle United trip - positive news for The Magpies

Newcastle United are preparing to take on Premier League leaders Liverpool at St James' Park on Wednesday night.

The Magpies are looking to bounce back from the disappointing draw against Crystal Palace on Saturday where they failed to register a shot on target.

Newcastle are among one of the lowest scorers in the Premier League this season with just 14 goals in 13 games. Only Southampton and Everton have scored less.

Liverpool find themselves nine points clear at the top of the league and are full of confidence after their 2-0 win to reigning champions Manchester City on Sunday.

However, The Reds will be without a number of players that make up their title challenging squad.

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Liverpool boss Arne Slot confirms absences for Newcastle United clash

In his post-match press conference Arne Slot confirmed that Ibrahima Konate, Conor Bradley and Kostas Tsimikas will all be unavailable for the trip to Tyneside on Wednesday.

The Liverpool boss said: (Konate and Bradley) will both be out for a few weeks.

“I’ve said many times before, it is always difficult to judge how many weeks exactly because you can think in the beginning, ‘Oh, it’s probably going to be like this’, but in the end stage of the injury process it can always differ a bit.

“They will not be in the team this week, for sure. Both of them.

“Actually, I don’t think Kostas will be with us in the upcoming week as well.

“These players that we have available now, it’s more important now, even more than normal, for them to stay fit.”

Slot will have just five natural defenders available for Wednesday's game. Against Manchester City, The Reds back line consisted of Trent Alexander-Arnold, Joe Gomez, Virgil Van Dijk and Andy Robertson the first time since 2022/23.

Eddie Howe has injury worries within Newcastle United

On a fitness perspective, the last 18 months have been disastrous for Eddie Howe's side. The last season has seen a slew of injuries with some players only just returning from long injury layoffs.

To add to his woes, Newcastle frontman Alexander Isak was forced off early with a hip issue. Howe has said that it doesn't look too serious but there is no word on whether he will feature on Wednesday.

Newcastle are also still without centre backs Sven Botman and Jamaal Lascelles who have been missing since March with anterior cruciate ligament issues.

Joe Willock and Bruno Guimaraes were taken off in the 2-0 defeat to West Ham but both featured against Palace on Saturday.