With UCL league phase in rearview, Liverpool, Newcastle square off

Liverpool and Newcastle United have both secured advancement in the UEFA Champions League. But each could use a good result when they meet at Anfield in Saturday's late kickoff if they intend to return to the continental competition next season.

Sixth-place Liverpool (10-7-6, 36 points) qualified directly for the round of 16 by winning five of their last six continental fixtures to finish third in the UCL league phase. That included a 6-0 home win over Qarabag of Azerbaijan on Wednesday night paced by Alexis Mac Allister's rare brace.

Mo Salah also scored his first goal since his return from the African Cup of Nations after striking four times in the tournament for Egypt. Liverpool manager Arne Slot's hope is that, with a goal or an assist in three of his last four club appearances, perhaps Salah could regain the form that saw him register 47 league goal involvements en route to the 2024-25 Premier League title.

"I think it's always about the team and the team has to make sure he gets in good positions," Slot said of Salah, who only has four goals and four assists in the league this campaign. "I think that's what we are doing more and more -- not only with him but with many players."

Liverpool may no longer be in realistic contention for a second consecutive league crown. But with 15 matches to play, they're only two points off the pace for the fourth and final automatic berth to next year's Champions League.

The ninth-place Magpies (9-8-6, 33 points) are also in that discussion despite a run of one win in six across all competitions that dates back to Jan. 10.

Wednesday's 1-1 draw at reigning UCL champions Paris St. Germain felt like a victory, with Nick Pope saving Ousmane Dembele's early penalty and Eddie Howe's men eventually pulling level through Joe Willock in first-half stoppage time.

Injuries also kept captain Bruno Guimaraes (ankle), fellow Brazilian midfielder Joelinton (groin) and English defender Valentino Livramento (hamstring) out of the pivotal contest, which helped Newcastle seal a 12th-place league phase finish and a seeded playoff phase spot.

Guimaraes was able to make the midweek trip to Paris for moral support, and while it feels unlikely he'd return for Saturday's contest, Howe did not rule it out.

"It's slightly unknown at the moment. He did really well to be with us in Paris -- that was down to the fact he was desperate to support the players," Howe said on Friday. "He did very, very light training. He trained with us yesterday but that was more of a test so we'll see how he is today. This will be where we decide (for Saturday)."

--Field Level Media