Liverpool (a) SOLD OUT
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2024/25:
Liverpool (a)

Wednesday night sees Newcastle face Liverpool in the Premier League at Anfield in what is a dress rehearsal for the Carabao Cup Final at Wembley next month.

It's an 8.15pm start live on TNT Sports and United's 3,000 tickets are sold out.

The home side have reiterated their strict policy on entry with bags - nothing larger than A5 size is allowed and there are no official bag drop facilities nearby.

Team: Speaking to the media on Tuesday, Eddie Howe confirmed that Sandro Tonali had suffered no ill-effects following his substitute appearance on Sunday. The midfielder had missed training with a hamstring issue.

Both Sven Botman and Joelinton are nearing returns, although it's unclear whether either will play at Anfield.

Jamaal Lascelles remains sidelined.

Coral rate this game as follows:

NUFC win 9/2
The draw 18/5
LFC win 1/2

New customers receive a £40 bet when staking £10 (T's & C's apply). Find those markets online here 

LFC: Joe Gomez and Conor Bradley miss out.

Ahead of our visit, a 2-0 win for Arne Slot's side away at Manchester City on Sunday left them 11 points clear at the top of the table.

Liverpool have now lost just once in 27 PL games so far this season, a 0-1 home defeat by Nottingham Forest last September. That game was also the last time that the Reds failed to find the net in the PL.

Referee: Chris Kavanagh - fourth Toon game of the season for the Manchester-based official following the 2-1 PL victory at Wolves, 2-0 Carabao Cup win home against Chelsea and 1-2 PL loss to Fulham at SJP.

VAR: Matthew Donohue

UK TV: Live on TNT Sports

The game will be shown live at WonderBar in The Gate, which opens at 10am.

City centre bars with live TV coverage include:

The Dog & Parrot on Clayton Street West
The Prince on Pudding Chare

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Overseas TV: 
222 Hub Premier 2 (Singapore)
620/621/622 Now Premier League (Hong Kong)
Arena Sport 1 (Bosnia/Croatia/Serbia/Slovenia)
Arena Sport 10 (Serbia)
Astro Go (Malaysia)
beIN Connect MENA HD
beIN SPORTS MENA 1 HD
Canal+ Action (Czech)
Canal+ France/Live 1/Free (France)
DAZN2/Bar 2 Spain
DAZN/Eleven 2 (Portugal)
Diema Sport (Bulgaria) HD
Digi Sport 3 (Romania)
Disney+ Arg/Chi/Bra/Sur
Disney+ Caribbean
Disney+ Hotstar (India)
DStv Now (South Africa)
ELTA Sports 1/eltaott.tv (Taiwan)
FAST TV (Armenia)
fuboTV (Canada/USA)
Fubo Sports Network 2 Canada
Go3 Extra Sports Est/Lat/Lit
iQiyi (China)
JioCinema (India)
K+ SPORT 2 (Vietnam)
MAXtv Go (Macedonia)
Migu (China)
M Plus Live (Hong Kong)
Movistar+ (Spain)
myCANAL (France)
NBC Sports App/Universo (USA)
Nova Sports 2 (Greece)
Now E (Hong Kong)
ON Plus (Vietnam)
Optus Sport (Australia) 
Play Sports/2 (Belgium)
QQ Sports Live (China)
See (Faroe Islands)
Setanta Sports 1 (Baltic States)
Showmax (South Africa)
Skylink (Cz/Slovakia)
Sky Sport Uno/4K/NOW TV/Go (Italy)
Sky Sport 2/NOW (New Zealand)
Sky Sport 1/Sky Go/WOW (Germany)
Spiler1 (Hungary)
SPOTV NOW/Prime (South Korea)
Sport 1 Israel
Sport 24 At Sea HD
Sport 24 In Flight HD
StarHub TV+ (Singapore)
Sunrise TV (Switzerland)
SuperSport Grandstand (South Africa)
SuperSport MaXimo 3 (South Africa)
SuperSport PSL (South Africa)
Telemundo Deportes En Vivo (USA)
TOD (Saudi Arabia/Tunisia/Turkey)
True ID/Prmier Football HD 3 (Thailand)
TV2 Play (Hungary)
U-NEXT (Japan)
UNIVERSO (USA)
USA Network HD
ViaPlay Den/Fin/Ned/Nor/Pol HD
Vidio (Indonesia)
VOOsport World 3 (Belgium)
V Sport Premium HD/1 (Finland)
V Sport Premier League (Norway)
ZhiBo8 (China)

UK Radio: Live on talkSPORT (first half on Talk app) 

Rail: Scheduled disruptions are online here

Metro: No scheduled disruptions

Stats: 

Alexander Isak is one strike away from becoming the first Magpie to hit 20 PL goals in successive seasons.

The next three point return for Newcastle on the road will be their 150th PL away win.

Magpies @ Anfield: PL era:

2023/24 Lost 2-4 Isak, Botman
2022/23 Lost 1-2 Isak
2021/22 Lost 1-3 Shelvey
2020/21 Drew 1-1 Willock
2019/20 Lost 1-3 Willems
2018/19 Lost 0-4
2017/18 Lost 0-2
2015/16 Drew 2-2 Cisse, Colback
2014/15 Lost 0-2
2013/14 Lost 1-2 og(Skrtel)
2012/13 Drew 1-1 Cabaye
2011/12 Lost 1-3 og(Agger)
2010/11 Lost 0-3
2008/09 Lost 0-3
2007/08 Lost 0-3
2006/07 Lost 0-2
2005/06 Lost 0-2
2004/05 Lost 1-3 Kluivert
2003/04 Drew 1-1 Ameobi
2003/04 Lost 1-2 Robert (FAC)
2002/03 Drew 2-2 Speed, Shearer
2001/02 Lost 0-3
2000/01 Lost 0-3
1999/00 Lost 1-2 Shearer
1998/99 Lost 2-4 Solano, Andersson
1997/98 Lost 0-1
1996/97 Lost 3-4 Gillespie, Asprilla, Barton
1995/96 Lost 3-4 Ferdinand, Ginola, Asprilla
1995/96 Won 1-0 Watson (LC)
1994/95 Lost 0-2
1993/94 Won 2-0 Lee, Cole

Latest PL results/fixtures:
(All games live on TNT Sports)

Tue 25.02.2025:
Brighton & Hove Albion 2-1 Bournemouth
Crystal Palace 4-1 Aston Villa
Wolves 1-2 Fulham
Chelsea 4-0 Southampton

Wed 26.02.2025:
Brentford v Everton (7.30pm)
Manchester United v Ipswich Town (7.30pm)
Nottingham Forest v Arsenal (7.30pm)
Spurs v Manchester City (7.30pm)
Liverpool v Newcastle (8.15pm)

Thu 27.02.2025:
West Ham v Leicester City (8pm)

Bucket list:
Hat giveaway

As modelled by a certain local musician, the Shearer reversible bucket hat from Tyneside-based Football Bobbles is ideal for winding your way down on Baker Street and along Wembley Way come March 16th.

Available to buy here, we have one up for grabs and to stand a chance of winning it, email your answer to this question to [email protected] subject Hats:

How many times did Alan Shearer play at Wembley Stadium for Newcastle United? 

Closing date is 3pm on Wednesday February 26th. No age limit, open to anyone on the planet. Delivery only to UK addresses. One entry each please per person.

U21s:
Robins rob Magpies

Altrincham  3  Newcastle U21s  3 
(Altrincham win 3-2  on pens)

Newcastle U21s exited from the National League Cup at the quarter-final stage to Altrincham on Tuesday.

With the scoreline standing 3-3 after 90 minutes, the tie went straight to a penalty shootout at Moss Lane.

The hosts won that 3-2 as follows (AFC went first):

Griffiths saved 0-0
Alfie Harrison scored 1-0
Reddin scored 1-1
Ellis Stanton missed 1-1
Cooper missed 1-1
Jay Turner-Cooke scored 2-1
Kosylo scored 2-2
Sean Neave saved 2-2
Amaluzor scored 2-3
Leo Shahar missed 2-3

The hosts went ahead after six minutes, Kahrel Reddin cutting in from the left flank and placing his shot beyond visiting goalkeeper James Taylor.

Alty doubled their advantage with 10 minutes played, Kian Taylor left unattended to head home following a corner kick by Elliot Osborne.

That lead was halved on 19 minutes however, Garang Kuol beating debutant Rob Lainton from 25 yards.

And parity was restored just before the half hour mark when Lainton upended Jay Turner-Cooke in the box and the Newcastle man got to convert the penalty kick.

Into the second half and United went ahead for the first time in the tie on 57 minutes when Kuol dispossessed a defender before burying a low effort past replacement custodian Harvey Randle.

Chances were then made and missed at both ends; Johnny Emerson denied by Randle on 61 minutes and Reddin seeing his shot strike the goal frame before Taylor grabbed it on the goal line five minutes later.

The second spot kick award of the evening then came with 13 minutes of normal time remaining, Magpies substitute Rory Finneran fouling Remi Thompson.

Up stepped Joe Nuttall, but paused too long in his run-up to try and dummy Taylor - the Alty player ending up with a booking for his trouble and United restarting play with a free kick.

The home side levelled the tie in the final seconds, a cross from the left headed home by Justin Amaluzor.

Remi Thompson then missed a glaring chance to win two minutes into five added on, firing over from six yards.

That was the last meaningful action, sending the tie into a penalty shootout that the Magpies lost 2-3.

Team: Taylor, Shahar, Charlton, Bailey (Finneran 46), Heffernan, C.Thompson, Kuol (Ferreira 90+1), Stanton, Neave, Turner-Cooke, Emerson (Al.Harrison 75). 
Subs n/u: Craggs, Anderson, Brayson, Palmer.

Booked: Finneran

AFC: Lainton (Randle 46), Cooper, Osborne (Griffiths 14), Taylor, Kosylo, Weaver (Amaluzor 46), Reddin, Golden (Banks 46), Nuttall, Bickerstaff (Thompson 73), Pasiek. 
Subs n/u: J.Jones, Crawford.

Booked: Taylor, Nuttall

Referee: William Davis

Crowd: 623

Although the Magpies had visited Moss Lane previously in reserve and junior games against Manchester United, this was the first time that these two sides had met.

Thanks to GW

Premier League:
Magpies make a meal 
of Sunday lunch date

Newcastle  4  Nottingham Forest  3

Match report 

Carabao Cup:
Pot 6 update

Those who entered the Pot 6 ballot for Carabao Cup Final should have now received emails confirming their success or failure.

Seat selection is open from Noon on Wednesday for 24 hours. Full details of the process online here

PS: Dawson & Sanderson travel agents have a small number of seats available on their charter train. 

Standard class places cost £169 return (match ticket not included). The train will run direct from Newcastle to Wembley Central, walking distance from the stadium. 

Approximate journey time is 5 hours 30 minutes each way - no alcohol can be bought or consumed on board.

Bookings via 0191 261 4888 or in person at Dawson & Sanderson, 124 Northumberland Street, Newcastle.

NSC:
Highwaymen off to SJP 

Tuesday saw the first of this season's Northumberland Senior Cup semi-final ties, Morpeth Town defeating Ashington 4-3 on penalties following a 2-2 draw.

That means the 2023 competition winners will return to Gallowgate for the final, where they will face either Newcastle U21s or Heaton Stannington.

The second Senior Cup semi-final will take place at the Grounsell Park home of the Stan on Tuesday March 11th* at 7.30pm. Tickets are on sale now here

* That has been rescheduled from Monday March 3rd. 

Tickets for the original date will be valid and anyone unable to attend can gain a refund by emailing [email protected] with their order number.

Internationals:
Toon duo called up 

Newcastle youngsters Sam Alabi and Michael Mills are included in the 20-strong England U16 squad heading to Spain this week to contest a four team tournament. 

The Young Lions will head to the Pinatar Arena to play games as follows:

Fri 28.02.2025 Colombia
Sun 02.03.2025 Denmark
Wed 05.03.2025 France

Old boy:
Dawson exits City 

Former Newcastle U21 coach - and briefly interim first team boss - Ben Dawson has left his post on the Leicester City coaching staff.

The 44 year-old moved to the Foxes last July to work under Steve Cooper, taking charge of the side for once game in November and remaining at the King Power Stadium when Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed. 

Dawson spent a decade at the Magpies that included a stint in charge of the senior side in 2019, between the departure of Rafa Benitez and arrival of Steve Bruce.

U18s:
Double delight 
for youngsters

Newcastle U18s  3  Liverpool U18s  1

Saturday saw Newcastle U18s win only their second home league game of the season, doing the double over Liverpool following a 3-2 away success last September. 

In mild and sunny conditions at Little Benton, the Reds took an early lead; Schofield Lonmeni pushing down the right and Joe Bradshaw's pull back dispatched by Kareem Ahmed with a first time shot in only the fifth minute.

Clear-cut chances for either side were in short supply from that point; Josh Sonni-Lambie's shot pushed on to the crossbar by home 'keeper Will Anderson in the 26th minute and United's Kasey Wooster similarly grazing the goal frame two minutes before the break.

It took just six minutes of the second period to bring the equaliser, substitute Kyle Fitzgerald advancing down the right before the overlapping Henry Johnson crossed low to the back post for Michael Mills to fire in.

That gave the home side added impetus and with the visitors looking vulnerable, further Newcastle goals weren't long in arriving.

A back heel by Michael Mills towards the left hand corner flag on the hour gave Sam Alabi the chance to centre - centre forward Kacey Wooster in the right place to finish from six yards via the underside of the bar.

Mills almost got another a minute after the restart but Reds' 'keeper Bailey Hall denied him at the near post.

With 15 minutes remaining Hall brought down Fitzgerald in the box and Wooster made no mistake from the spot with a confident low conversion for 3-1.

That left a travel-sick Reds side with just one point from a possible 21 on the road so far this season. 

Team: Anderson, Johnson, Bloomer (Epia 85), Watts, Craggs, Cogdon, Waddani (Fitzgerald 46), Harper (O'Donovan 66), Wooster, Alabi, Mills (Durrant 85.
Sub n/u: Holland.

Loan lads:
Temps 

Magpie loan watch:

James Huntley (Spennymoor Town)
A 0-1 home loss at the hands of Marine in National League North on Tuesday night saw James once again omitted from the matchday squad - reason tbc.

Travis Hernes (AaB):
Nordsjaelland (h) Danish Superliga, Wednesday.

Charlie McArthur (Carlisle United)
Barrow (a) League Two, Thursday.

Harrison Ashby (QPR)
Sheffield United (h) Championship, Saturday.

Isaac Hayden (Portsmouth) 
Luton Town (a) Championship, Saturday.

Alex Murphy (Bolton Wanderers)
Wrexham (a) League One,  Saturday.

Max Thompson (Chesterfield)
Crewe Alexandra (h) League Two, Saturday.

Joe White (MK Dons)
Colchester United (h) League Two, Saturday.

Miodrag Pivas (Willem II)
Sparta Rotterdam (a) Eredivisie, Sunday.

U21s:
Gone with the wind

Arsenal U21s  4  Newcastle U21s  1

Match report

Update:
Reds paired with PSG

Following Friday's last 16 draw for the Champions League, Liverpool's fixture list leading up to their Carabao Cup Final against Newcastle is now set:

Wed 26.02.2025 Newcastle (h) PL
Tue 04.03.2025 or Wed 05.03.2025 PSG (a) CL
Sat 08.03.2025 Southampton (h) PL
Tue 11.03.2025 or Wed 12.03.2025 PSG (h) CL
Sun 16.03.2025 Newcastle (n) CC 

That compares to Newcastle's schedule:

Wed 26.02.2025 Liverpool (a) PL
Sun 02.03.2025 Brighton (h) FA
Mon 10.03.2025 West Ham (a) PL
Sun 16.03.2025 Liverpool (n) CC

Squad:
New deals for duo 

Newcastle confirmed on Thursday that two players have agreed new contracts to extend their stay at SJP. 

Defender Emil Krafth has signed a new 12 month deal while goalkeeper Martin Dubravka put pen to paper on an extension of undisclosed duration.

Meanwhile, contract talks with defender Fabian Schar are reportedly continuing.

That leaves Jamaal Lascelles, Jamal Lewis and Callum Wilson in the final months of their SJP deals, along with goalkeeping pair John Ruddy and Mark Gillespie.

The Athletic wrote that a new contract offer for Wilson was unlikely but that remains tbc.

Update:
Old boy acquitted

The trial of former Spanish Football Federation supremo Luis Rubiales for sexual assault concluded on Thursday with a guilty verdict and a fine but no prison term.

The charge followed the televised kiss between Rubiales and Spanish international Jenni Hermoso after full time in the 2023 Women's World Cup Final against England.

Rubiales was acquitted of a further charge of coercion related to events that followed the incident, along with three other officials accused of the same offence.

One of that trio was ex-Magpie Albert Luque - who at the time was Sporting Director of the Spanish men's team and originally called as a witness before further investigations resulted in the charge.

FA Cup:
Brighton (h)

Newcastle's FA Cup Fifth Round home tie against the Seagulls is a 1.45pm kick-off on Sunday.

The winners will take their place in the quarter final draw, on a date and time yet to be announced.

Albion look to have sold around 1,100 tickets.

Team: To follow

BHAFC: Ferdi Kadioglu, James Milner and Igor Julio will miss out, while Joel Veltman, Lewis Dunk and Jason Steele are all doubtful.

Fabian Hurzeler's side come to Tyneside on a four game winning run in all competitions, defeating Brighton 2-1 at home in the Premier League on Tuesday evening.

Referee: Anthony Taylor - a third Newcastle game of the season for the Cheshire-based official, following on from the 3-1 PL win at Nottingham Forest and a 3-0  PL home victory over Aston Villa.

VAR: Graham Scott

VAR will operate at all eight ties and referees will announce decisions after reviewed incidents as was the case in the latter stages of the Carabao Cup.

Semi-Automated Offside Technology will also operate in all but one of the ties* the first time this system has been used in competitive matches in English football. 

* Preston's Deepdale ground doesn't have it installed.

UK TV: Live on ITV1, STV, ITVX & STV Player