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Soccer pundits Paul Merson and Chris Sutton have disagreed on how they think the Newcastle United vs Liverpool clash will unfold on Monday, with the Alexander Isak transfer saga playing out in the background.
Newcastle could only draw 0-0 with 10-man Aston Villa on the opening weekend of the season. Liverpool, meanwhile, needed Federico Chiesa and Mohamed Salah to score late to secure a home victory against Bournemouth after a second-half brace from Antoine Semenyo.
"Thanks to Isak, this has become the spiciest game of the season!" Merson wrote for Sportskeeda. "It’s a massive acid test for Liverpool at St James' Park.
"I was impressed with Newcastle against Aston Villa last weekend. Sandro Tonali was a different class, and if they had a proper center forward, they would have won that game easily. I suppose that’s why the fans are so angry with Isak. Newcastle are not a bad team anymore!
"It will be an insane atmosphere on Monday night, no doubt about it. This is a hard test for Liverpool against Newcastle’s midfield.
"Liverpool made it an end-to-end game against Bournemouth because they knew it suits them. Even though they conceded twice in that game, they still scored four goals.
"But if Newcastle can keep things tight and be solid in midfield, which I think they will, it won’t be easy for Liverpool.
"Arne Slot’s men are always going to be a bit open on the right side because of Jeremie Frimpong’s attacking nature. Teams are going to work out how to get around that side and that will be a worry for Liverpool. Harvey Barnes could enjoy a lot of freedom on that flank here.
"I believe Newcastle can cause problems to Liverpool. This should be an entertaining watch."
Merson predicted a 2-2 draw, but Sutton believes that Liverpool has more attacking firepower at the moment, which could tip the balance in Arne Slot's favor.
"This match was going to be intense anyway, but the Isak transfer saga has ramped it up a notch," he wrote for BBC Sport. There's going to be an edge to this one and honestly anything could happen.
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"Newcastle go into this game hampered by the fact they don't have a number nine. Isak hasn't covered himself. Newcastle were brilliant against Villa but guess what, they missed a center forward.
"A lot has been made about Liverpool's defence, they conceded a couple of soft ones against Bournemouth so there'll be a worry there. But then you look at Liverpool's attack and you think, blimey.
"Cody Gakpo, Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike, who had a blinder of a debut and Newcastle wanted to sign. Funnily enough, had Newcastle got Ekitike then Isak would probably be at Liverpool.
"There'll be goals in this. Neither of these sides take a backwards step. I veer towards Liverpool solely because Newcastle don't have a center forward. But, are they still capable of scoring goals? Absolutely."
Liverpool.com says: It is going to be some atmosphere at St James' Park. Liverpool will go there hoping to win, but will have to treat the game like a European away fixture early on, weathering a storm. The game will need to be much more controlled than against Bournemouth last time out, with Ryan Gravenberch returning.
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