David Lynch makes bold prediction ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Newcastle United

David Lynch makes bold prediction ahead of Liverpool’s clash with Newcastle United David Lynch Backs Liverpool to Beat Newcastle in Premier League Opener Liverpool head into their Premier League opener away at Newcastle United with reasons for optimism, according to journalist David Lynch, who believes Andoni Iraola’s side are capable of starting the new campaign with a victory at St James’ Park. Speaking to Dave Davis on Anfield Index’s Media Matters podcast, Lynch assessed Liverpool’s readiness following the end of pre season and offered a confident prediction for their first competitive fixture. Asked how prepared Liverpool are, Lynch immediately compared their position favourably with Newcastle. “Probably more prepared than Newcastle, to be fair,” he said. Lynch explained that he had watched Newcastle during pre season and felt they were still trying to put the pieces together. “They’ve got signings who are young and are going to probably take a while to settle in,” he said, while adding that Liverpool already “look like a competent football team to a degree”. Liverpool Must Avoid Second Half Drop Off There is still one issue Lynch believes Liverpool need to address before Sunday. “I’m slightly worried about these second half drop offs,” he admitted. That concern increased following Liverpool’s latest pre season fixture because the team did not make as many substitutions as in some earlier games. “They have to get that right at Newcastle,” Lynch said. “They have to be able to keep the intensity up for, you know, 75 minutes at least ideally and hopefully be in a winning position at that point.” That intensity will be especially significant in an Iraola system built around pressing and aggressive attacking football. Liverpool do, however, have enough quality to trouble Newcastle. Lynch highlighted Cody Gakpo as a perfectly capable option even if Bradley Barcola has not arrived before the game, while also pointing towards the improved confidence surrounding Liverpool’s defence. He said supporters would now be comfortable with either Ronald Araújo or Jeremy Jacquet starting at centre back, while Jeremie Frimpong had also provided encouragement at right back. Liverpool Look ‘Prepared Enough’ Midfield remains an area where Lynch expects some inconsistency. “Midfield, it is what it is,” he said. “It’s going to be a bit up and down this season.” Even so, Lynch believes Liverpool’s likely starters understand what Iraola requires. “Gravenberch and Szoboszlai will start there and they’re both kind of workers and can compete as well.” That left Lynch feeling Liverpool are sufficiently ready for the challenge. “I don’t think this is going to be a perfect team all the way through this season,” he said. “But I also think that they’re prepared enough.” He then made his assessment of the fixture clear. “I think this is a game that Liverpool can win and I think they’re in the shape to win it.” Photo: IMAGO Newcastle Could Be Vulnerable at the Right Time St James’ Park has traditionally represented a difficult assignment for Liverpool, something Lynch readily acknowledged. “I know Liverpool won there last season, but it was absolute hell of a game,” he said. However, Lynch believes this version of Newcastle may be less formidable than previous sides. “You look at the team and it doesn’t look as strong as previous Newcastle teams.” He also pointed towards changes within their squad and believes Liverpool may be facing them at a useful stage of the season. “Hopefully, from a Liverpool perspective, you’re just catching them at the right time really,” Lynch said. “If that proves to be the case I think Liverpool are going to be able to get goals and quality on the pitch.” His conclusion was simple: “I go there with confidence. I think that Liverpool can win.” Lynch Predicts 3-1 Liverpool Victory Davis also asked whether Lynch expected the side that started Liverpool’s final major pre season fixture to remain intact for Newcastle. “Very, very hard to see anything different happening really,” Lynch replied. He suggested keeping Gakpo available through the fixture would provide useful continuity, particularly if Liverpool are still working on attacking transfers. “If they can keep that starting 11 together I think it’s very hard to make a case for a change in any of the positions really.” When asked for a prediction, Lynch went further. “Yeah, I think Liverpool will win.” He believes Liverpool’s pressing structure and attacking options should create opportunities, while the defence now inspires greater confidence than it did earlier in pre season. “I think Liverpool have got the quality there to go there and get the win.” As for the final score, Lynch settled on 3-1 to Liverpool. “I think they’ll get goals in this system and I think they got the players on the pitch to get them. So yeah, hopefully they can win 3-1.” The remaining challenge is turning encouraging pre season moments into a complete competitive performance. Lynch expects Liverpool to do exactly that, and believes Iraola’s first Premier League campaign can begin with three points at St James’ Park.