Eddie Howe must find way to combat January blues after dire Anfield defeat

In a rain-soaked encounter at Anfield, Liverpool and Newcastle engaged in a thrilling contest, concluding with a 4-2 victory for Jürgen Klopp’s side. The match, which could easily have ended 8-2 in favor of Liverpool, proved to be a significant setback for Newcastle and manager Eddie Howe, extending their winless streak to one victory in eight games. This challenging run raises concerns about Newcastle’s football project, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.

The defeat against Liverpool adds pressure to Howe’s position as Newcastle’s manager, with upcoming fixtures posing further challenges. The FA Cup third-round clash with Sunderland is followed by league encounters against Manchester City and Aston Villa. A poor outcome in these matches could leave Howe with just one win in 11 games, a worrisome trend for a team aspiring to become a continental heavyweight.

Despite Liverpool’s dominance in the first half, where they registered 18 shots without scoring, Newcastle harbored hopes of a positive start to 2024. The opening 45 minutes featured numerous near misses for Liverpool, including goals ruled offside, a saved penalty by Mohamed Salah, and crucial stops by Newcastle’s goalkeeper, Martin Dubravka.

Newcastle, striving to bridge a 28-year gap since their last league victory at Anfield, had hoped for a more competitive season under Howe’s management. However, the recent struggles cast doubt on Howe’s tenure, especially without the buffer of a trophy on his CV. Unlike last season’s overachievement, where Newcastle finished fourth and reached the Carabao Cup final, the current campaign presents a more challenging scenario.

Howe’s pre-match comments about the challenges posed by Liverpool, coupled with a growing list of unavailable players, added an air of difficulty to the already daunting fixture. Despite missing key personnel, Howe fielded a competitive XI, featuring Alexander Isak as a striker and Tino Livramento at right-back.

Liverpool’s relentless attacking style, led by Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, overwhelmed Newcastle early in the game. The outcome leaves Eddie Howe with critical decisions to make, and the club’s ambitions of transformation under Saudi ownership face a stern test in the coming fixtures.