As Liverpool’s New Year’s Eve clash with Newcastle United approaches, North East manager Eddie Howe has offered an insight into his side’s strategy.
He was quick to dismiss suggestions that his team was resorting to a “park the bus” defensive approach despite last season’s plan. Liverpool, who are currently leading the league, play at home to Newcastle at Anfield.
Newcastle beat Liverpool last season to qualify for the Champions League, but their current form is not good. They have been knocked out of both the Carabao Cup and European competition and have fallen to ninth in the Premier League after two wins in their last six games.
On the other hand, Liverpool reinforced their dominance.
This guaranteed progression to the Europa League and Carabao Cup semi-finals. The Reds’ Premier League record boasts four wins and a draw, and with players returning from injury, confidence is rising ahead of the game against Newcastle.
Despite these contrasting trajectories, Howe has stuck to his usual game plan and has no plans to switch to a defensive strategy against Liverpool.
He explained to the Newcastle Chronicle: “If it was easy we would all park our buses. Anfield is a very difficult area to visit. This is what their experience tells us. But the game requires you to play to your strengths and take risks. I have said this many times. If you don’t threaten them in some other way, they’ll play into your opponent’s hands. “We’re trying to find ways to stay strong in the game, but still be a threat on the other end.”Howe stressed the importance of playing to your strengths and taking risks in the game.
He plans to keep the team solid in games but also promises an offensive threat. But Howe admitted his side needed to improve defensively. Looking back on the last two games, he acknowledged that his defense needs to improve. “I would say focusing on the heart and soul of our defense is what we do and we’ve done,” he added.
Howe, who has won just once in 18 games for Bournemouth – against Liverpool in December 2016 – knows he needs to step up his performances for the Magpies. Liverpool won this game last season against the late Fabio Carvalho.
