"Worries me a lot tonight", "We ain't winning" - Liverpool fans unhappy with one player's inclusion in XI for Newcastle clash
Liverpool fans have expressed their concerns on X after Arne Slot included Jarell Quansah in the starting XI to face Newcastle United. The two sides are set to face each other in the Premier League at St. James' Park on Wednesday, December 4.
Caoimhin Kelleher starts in goal for Liverpool. Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, and Jarell Quansah make up the defense. The midfield comprises Ryan Gravenberch, Alexis Mac Allister, and Curtis Jones. Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah, and Darwin Nunez start up front to complete the XI.
Trent Alexander-Arnold started as right-back during the Reds' recent 2-0 win over Manchester City. However, the England international has been benched tonight as a precaution with Conor Bradley also missing due to a hamstring injury,
Despite being a natural centre-back, Quansah has been entrusted to fill in at right-back. The 21-year-old has made just five appearances across competitions this season. He scored an own goal on his last start in the EFL Cup, during their 3-2 win over Brighton & Hove Albion away.
One Liverpool fan reacted to this by posting:
"Quansah worries me a lot tonight especially up against Gordon"
Another fan tweeted:
"Why quansah he doesn’t have confidence bro I’m telling you from now we ain’t winning bc of quansah"
Other fans reacted below:
"Quansah no mahn. were done here," one fan insisted
"Quansah at right back, worried me a little bit," another added
"Hes gonna be cooked by Gordon," one fan predicted
"Obviously the lad can’t defend for s**t and costs us goals everytime he starts. Also that’s a blow on our offensive side, he definitely can’t attack the way Bradley and Trent does," another chimed in
"They might be able to pull it off" - Mark Lawrenson makes bold scoreline prediction for Newcastle vs Liverpool clash
Former Liverpool star Mark Lawrenson has predicted the Reds to be held to a draw by Newcastle United in their upcoming Premier League fixture.
Arne Slot and Co. are currently on cloud nine, having comprehensively defeated Manchester City and Real Madrid in the space of a week. They are at the top of the league standings with 34 points from 13 games, nine points clear of second-placed Arsenal.
Meanwhile, Newcastle are in 11th place with 19 points and have won just two out of their last five league games. However, they have been a threat against the top clubs, having defeated Arsenal 1-0 and held Manchester City to a 1-1 draw.
Lawrenson wrote (via Paddy Power News):
"Newcastle are struggling. They’re saying they can’t buy players and the results have not been great. The manager has gone from being one of the favourites for the England job to being one of the favourites for the sack. This is a big game for them. Liverpool are going there with no real problems."
He added:
"Arne Slot might make three or four changes, but it won’t weaken the side because he’s basically got two players for every single position. He must’ve got the job the first day and could not believe his luck, as the guy before him left 22 top international players to work with."
"Newcastle will probably be quite negative and try to shut out Liverpool, especially if Aleksander Isak is out, as reports suggest. They might be able to pull it off, so I’ll go for."
Lawrenson's Prediction: 1-1
