Eddie Howe believes Newcastle will have to play close to a “perfect game” to get Liverpool’s best in Anfield.
The Reds are marching to secure the Premier League title after expanding their lead at the top of the table at 11 points on the weekend.
Arne Slot’s men were impressive in the way they sent Manchester City 2-0 on Sunday, but they were also enforced at home, with the only defeat of the Anfield league coming in September against Nottingham Forest.
Howe knows that his side, which is currently level at points with Manchester City on Thursday, know that they have to manage the feeling of playing in Liverpool.
Toon boss said: “We need to be close to a perfect game from our perspective.
“Learning from the recent game against Manchester City would be a good starting point for us where we did not perform the aggressive game we wanted and will not attack the game well enough.
“We have to learn from this to Anfield which is an excellent environment to play football, but it’s not good if you’re not entirely there.
“We have to recognize it and make sure we are displayed. It is enormous. It is an emotional stage, we should start well and we must have a threat to the game.”
Eddie Howe in the current battle for European spaces:
“It’s very interesting, an interesting mix of teams. Some expect to be there, some who are there who had a great time. I think from our point of view. We are there to fight for these places.” pic.twitter.com/ctsvtzn88q
– Newcastle United (@nufc) 25 February 2025
Howe: Stoping Salah a ‘challenge’
Newcastle’s hopes of getting a result on Mersesides on Wednesday night could depend on how they face Mohamed Salah, who continues to have a great season for the Reds.
The Egyptian front scored 25 goals and gave 16 assists in 27 Premier League games and found the net in his last six matches in the competition.
About how the 32 -year -old stops, Howe added: “This will be a challenge for us. He is not always down to any person in the team, though of course he will come against an opponent, this is the team that supports this area of ​​the stadium .
“I think against Arsenal at home at the Carabao Cup is a great game to reflect. We supported two, three, four. We had a mindset we wanted to defend our goal at the highest level.
“I don’t think we have steadily that in recent weeks, but we will need that in this game.”
Howe: The inconsistency was disappointing
Newcastle suffered in inconsistently late, winning three and lost three in the last six Premier League games.
The contrasting form that may have shown perhaps better summarized in their last game against Forest, when they hit four goals in the first half before a sluggish second period, almost saw them surrender their lead to a 4-3 victory.
Howe added: “He was there all the time to some extent. There were games that we are frustrated by ourselves. But when you hear the 13 wins from 16 wins, he is not an inconsistent team. I would definitely do it again in Next 16 games.
“I try to be very honest and recognize that we are inconsistent at times and on Sunday (the 4-3 win over Nottingham Forest) reflected this.”
Newcastle team news
Howe said the average Sandro Tonali “came through the fine” in his alternate appearance against the forest and “expects it to be now fully suitable”.
Defender Sven Botman “improves” and will be “very close” to Liverpool’s game.
At Joelinton’s gym, Howe said: “With Joe, he is similar to Sven, really improves and is doing very well and pushing. He is another player who could be very close.”
“He has those basic aspects we lost when he is not there, his naturalness and power there is an obvious presence that is missing in our middle section. Joey is a huge player for us.”
