Paul Merson is unconvinced with his own prediction as Liverpool set to host Newcastle United on Saturday
Newcastle United head to one of their bogey grounds at the weekend, facing Liverpool at Anfield in an 8 pm kick-off on Saturday night, live on TNT Sports.
The Magpies' record at Anfield doesn't bear thinking about. However, what is worth remembering is that Newcastle did beat Liverpool at Wembley last season so we know we can beat them.
Liverpool are far from the dominant force they were last season and also have some injury issues to contend with, and while they may have won 6-0 on Wednesday night, you never quite know what they're going to do from game-to-game.
Unfortunately, though, you could say the exact same about Newcastle, and this is where Paul Merson has got himself all tangled up.
Paul Merson doesn't know what to think about Saturday's game
Merson has made his score prediction for Sportskeeda, but it seems like the former Arsenal striker isn't convinced by is own thinking.
"You don't know what you're going to get with Liverpool! It's really weird what's happening with them. They spent all that money and can't keep a clean sheet in the league!
"We were sitting here at the start of the season, and when Liverpool bought Alexander Isak, we thought they will run away with the league title. It's quite interesting how it has not panned out that way. If Liverpool fail to finish in the top four, I think Arne Slot will be gone.
"Newcastle shock me with how bad they are in away games, but they did well on the road against PSG in the Champions League. I expect Bruno Guimaraes to start this game. This is a hugely important game for Newcastle and they need him in midfield.
"Liverpool have had a lot of injury problems this season. I don't understand why they did not go all in for Marc Guehi. They needed a centre-back so bad and they let City sign him. Now it's starting to look like Liverpool haven't bought well at all.
"After the injury to Jeremie Frimpong, I expect Dominik Szoboszlai to play right-back in this game. Newcastle have strong wide players like Harvey Barnes, Anthony Gordon and Anthony Elanga. So I don't think Liverpool will use Wataru Endo like they did against Qarabag.
"Szoboszlai is the best available choice at right-back because he has done quite well playing there. But Liverpool haven't been as dominant as they have been in midfield this season. If you take Szoboszlai out of that midfield, you have another big gap to fill there.
"I'm backing Liverpool to win here, but I'm not really sure why! Maybe because they are playing at home. I honestly can't think of anything else.
"Prediction: Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle United"
The late kick-off could add something different to the game
We never expect to get anything from Anfield, so we are braced for a defeat, and anything more is simply a bonus. It's the only way we can think of to deal with this nightmare fixture.
Newcastle's away form is concerning enough without having to go to a stadium where we never win.
The kick-off time, being 8 pm on a Saturday, adds a level of uncertainty to things. We're not a fan of these nighttime kick-offs on a weekend, but they do provide that little extra seasoning of the unknown.
