Liverpool midfielder Philippe Coutinho. (Photo : Getty Images)
Contending team Liverpool FC (15-9-9, 54 points) is looking to clinch a spot in the Europa League next season as they head into the final five games of their 2015-2016 Premier League campaign. The team is scheduled to host bottom three team Newcastle United FC (7-19-8, 29 points) at the Anfield on Saturday, April 23rd.
Liverpool is at the seventh spot of the current league table, only two points behind sixth-running team West Ham United who presently holds the second and last qualifying berth for the Europa League tournament next season.
The team could also snag a Champions League spot if they could sweep their remaining five matches, but it would be a long shot considering that powerhouse team Manchester City is holding firm to the fourth and last slot.
The Reds are coming off a 4-0 demolition of 10-man squad Everton at the Anfield on Wednesday to snag their third consecutive victory, as reported by BBC Sport.
Four different players of head coach Jürgen Klopp scored one goal apiece during the blowout win, namely forward Divock Origi, center back Mamadou Sakho, striker Daniel Sturridge, and winger Philippe Coutinho at the 43rd, 45th+2, 61st, and 76th minutes respectively on the way to the team's four-goal haul.
Meanwhile, Newcastle United managed to pull off an impressive 1-1 draw with fourth-running team Manchester City at their home field of St. James' Park on Tuesday, as per SkySports.
After City's Argentine striker Sergio Agüero drew first blood at the 14th minute to give the visitors the early lead, Newcastle's Dutch midfielder Vurnon Anita equalized the match at the 31st with a left-footed shot that glanced the post into the net.
The score stood until the end as the Magpies are now on a two-game unbeaten run to try and climb away from the bottom three relegation area. Right now, the team is second to the last place in the league table, only two points away from the safety zone.
If new coach Rafa Benitez could guide his team to as many wins as they can in their last four fixtures, then Newcastle may avoid getting demoted to the Football League Championship next season.
The predicted result is a 3-1 win for Liverpool.
Liverpool starting lineup (4-4-1-1 formation): Mignolet; Clyne, Lovren, Sakho, Moreno; Lallana, Milner, Lucas, Coutinho; Firmino; Origi
Newcastle United starting lineup (4-2-3-1 formation): Darlow; Anita, Mbemba, Lascelles, Dummett; Tioté, Colback; Townsend, Sissoko, Perez; Cissé
