Newcastle United are scheduled to face Liverpool this weekend at Anfield. The Magpies are fighting to secure their Premier League safety while Liverpool have their sights on a Champions League position.
But, the conversation about this match is difficult to find. Honestly, there isn’t much focus on any matches on the schedule this week. That is all thanks to the European Super League.
Whether it’s on social media, soccer shows, or even just regular sports programming, the European Super League is on the tips of everyone’s tongue. Liverpool, Newcastle’s opponent this weekend, are one of the clubs that would be involved in the controversial new venture.
While the discussion of how the European Super League will impact Newcastle is an important one, there are implications from the ESL on this week’s match between NUFC and Liverpool.
With Liverpool distracted by all of the European Super League talk, can Newcastle United pull off the upset?
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has come out against the European Super League, just as he did in 2019. Klopp is a world-class manager, but it’s a tall task to try and focus on preparing for a match when this topic looms over your shoulder. Now, they will have to deal with this outside noise all week as they get set to host Steve Bruce and the Magpies.
Some of that outside noise is coming directly from Liverpool supporters. Spion Kop 1906, a Liverpool supporters’ group, is requesting that all of their banners and flags are removed from the Kop ahead of this weekend’s fixture. That stand being left empty would be quite a sight to see.
Fans of Leeds and Liverpool combined at Elland Road to protest the European Super League, booing and heckling Liverpool personnel. On the pitch, Liverpool conceded a late equalizer vs. Leeds United in a crucial match in their quest for a European position.
Newcastle United will have the chance to come into Anfield and take all three points if the Reds are not focused on the task at hand.