Eddie Howe believes that Newcastle has to play near a “perfect game” to improve Liverpool in Anfield.
The red are on track to secure the Premier League title after extending their lead at the top of the table to 11 points at the weekend.
Arne Slot’s men were impressive in the way they sent 2-0 in Manchester City on Sunday, but at home they were also Imperious and their only defeat in Angeld in September against Nottingham Forest.
Howe knows his team, which is currently on the fifth point with Manchester City, knows that they have to cope with the emotions of playing in Liverpool.
The Toon boss said: “In our view, we have to be close to a perfect game.
“Learning from the latest game against Manchester City would be a good starting point for us, where we did not run the aggressive gameplan we wanted, and we do not have to attack the game well enough.
“We have to learn from this on Anfield what a great environment is to play football, but not good if they are not quite there.
“We have to acknowledge and make sure that we appear. It is psychologically huge. It is an emotional stadium, we have to start well and have to have a threat in the game. “
Eddie Howe about the current struggle for European places:
“It is very interesting, an interesting mix of teams. Some await you there, some who had an excellent season there. I only think from our point of view; We are there and fight for these places. ” pic.twitter.com/ctsvtzn88q
– Newcastle United (@Nufc) February 25, 2025
Howe: Salah stop a “challenge”
Newcastles Hope to achieve a result in Merseyside on Wednesday evening could stop from how to deal with Mohamed Salah, who continues to have an extraordinary season for the Red.
The Egyptian striker scored 25 goals and scored 16 templates in 27 games of the Premier League and found the net in his last six games.
How to stop the 32-year-old added: “This will be a challenge for us. It is always not due to one person in the team, although he will of course compete against an opponent, it is about the team that supports this area of the field.
“I think against Arsenal at home in the Carabao Cup is a great game that you can think about. We defended in two or three, fours. We had a mentality that we wanted to defend our goal at the highest level.
“I don’t think we have had it consistently in the past few weeks, but we will need that in this game.”
Howe: Inconsistency was frustrating
Newcastle has recently suffered from inconsistent form after losing three in their last six games of the Premier League.
The contrasting form that you showed was perhaps best summarized in your last game against Forest when you scored four goals in the first half before you almost gave an overwhelming second period in a 4: 3 victory.
Howe added: “It was to a certain extent the whole season. There were games that we were frustrated about ourselves. However, if you hear the statistics of 13 wins of 16, this is not an inconsistent team. I would definitely take that again in the next 16 games.
“I try to be very honest and to recognize that we were sometimes inconsistent, and Sunday (the 4: 3 victory against Nottingham Forest) reflected.”
Newcastle Team News
Howe said that midfielder Sandro Tonali was “carried out” in his replacement appearance against Forest and he “expects he to be fully fit now”.
Defender Sven Botman also improves quickly and will be “very tight” for the Liverpool game.
In Joelinton’s fitness, Howe said: “With Joe, it is similar to Sven that he really improves and is really well. He is another player who could be pretty close. “
“He has these key aspects that we missed when he is not there, his physicality and strength There is no obvious presence in our midfield. Joey is a massive player for us. “
