‘It could be a crazy match’ – Roy Keane tips a goal-filled encounter in his Liverpool vs Newcastle prediction
Roy Keane has weighed in with his prediction ahead of Liverpool’s Premier League meeting with Newcastle on Saturday night, suggesting the contest could turn into a “mad game”.
Both sides were in Champions League action on Wednesday. Liverpool cruised past Qarabag with a 6-0 win to book a direct place in the last 16, while Newcastle were pushed into the knockout play-offs despite earning an impressive 1-1 draw away to holders Paris Saint-Germain.
Their earlier clash this season at St James’ Park produced plenty of drama. Arne Slot’s side surrendered a two-goal advantage before teenager Rio Ngumoha — just 16 at the time — came off the bench to net a dramatic winner deep into stoppage time.
Keane expects chaos between Liverpool and Newcastle
Speaking on the latest episode of Stick to Football, Keane and his fellow pundits were asked to give their predictions for the Anfield showdown.
Opinions were split. Jill Scott immediately backed Liverpool, while Ian Wright threw his support behind Newcastle. After a short debate, the former Manchester United captain opted for a draw, saying: “2-2 — it could be a mad game.”
A fixture that rarely follows the script
Keane’s suggestion of a chaotic encounter would be consistent with the history of this fixture in the Premier League era. Iconic 4-3 thrillers from the mid-1990s still live long in the memory, while the teams shared six goals at St James’ Park just last season. There was also Divock Origi’s dramatic late winner in a 3-2 classic during Liverpool’s title charge in 2018/19.
Predicting outcomes involving this Liverpool side has become increasingly difficult in recent weeks, with the reigning champions swinging between brilliance and disarray.
Will it be the slick, ruthless version that swept aside Marseille and Qarabag in Europe — or the unconvincing side that collapsed at Bournemouth last weekend?
Newcastle have been equally unpredictable. Their last seven matches have brought three wins (one via penalties), two draws and two defeats. In the space of a few days, they went from failing to score against bottom-of-the-table Wolves to hammering PSV Eindhoven 3-0.
All things considered, this is far from an easy game to call. Still, the drama of the reverse fixture suggests Keane’s 2-2 prediction may not be too far off. We’ll cautiously lean towards a Liverpool win — but with these two sides, anything feels possible.
