Our Liverpool fans here in the Transfer Tavern will be hoping to regain the second spot today by beating Newcastle United.

Liverpool are making a huge push to finish top of the rest in the Premier League, with the title all but confirmed for Man City, though finishing second would be deemed as a success. The Reds come into the game in red-hot form, scoring nine goals in the previous two matches and our regulars are really enjoying watching them weekly, though they need to put a stamp on the campaign.

Newcastle themselves are unbeaten in the past four matches, winning one and drawing three, so it’ll be a tough game. Rafa Benitez will be hoping to return to his old club and continue this form, however, Jurgen Klopp’s side are one tough side to stop at the moment.

Klopp may make a few changes today in order to keep his team fresh, and our barman believes that will be key if Klopp wants to finish second in the league, especially with the Champions League in mind.

Our landlord takes a look at TWO fairly inconsistent players that should be dropped for today’s match…

Joel Matip

The centre-back is in a straight up tussle to partner Vigil Van Dijk as he battles Dejan Lovren for a starting berth. With that in mind, Klopp seems to be alternating between the two to figure out his best partnership.

Many of the punters propping up the bar think Lovren is the better of the two and, that Van Dijk actually brings the best out of him, at long last. Similar to the goalkeeping situation we’ve seen all season, it seems that Klopp is again undecisive on sticking to one player.

Lovren and VVD should continue to build their relationship ahead of big games both home and abroad.

James Milner

James Milner’s started the past two matches and aided the side to two wins, nine goals and some terrific football to boot. However, Klopp’s insistence on rotating the squad may let the time-served utility man have a rest against one of his former sides.

Milner is usually one of the most reliable players Klopp has within his squad though can sometimes be overrun in midfield when the opposition spring a counter and, with Newcastle likely to do that, could be moved to the bench.