Newcastle United

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

"He's been awful lately."

That was former Newcastle defender John Anderson's withering view of captain Bruno Guimaraes after the 2-0 defeat by Liverpool on Wednesday made it just three points from a possible 12 in February.

It is stark contrast to the form of December and January that began with a scintillating 3-3 draw against the same opponents and also included six consecutive wins.

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Whether the reason for or a consequence of, Newcastle's form over the winter period has mirrored that of Guimaraes.

The 27-year-old has started every Premier League game so far this season, and hit a purple patch in the 10 matches from the beginning of December through to the end of January, scoring two goals and making five assists, resulting in a goal contributions per 90 minutes of 0.7.

However, across six games in all competitions in February, the Brazil midfielder failed to register a goal or an assist.

It is not the only marker in which he has regressed.

When comparing per 90 minutes, Guimaraes' chances created has nosedived from 2.5 to just 0.3, while his touches in the opposition box has more than halved from 3.3 to 1.3.

With his total shots per 90 dropping from 1.4 to 0.8 and overall xG falling to just 0.16 from 1.5, it is clear to see his effectiveness in front of goal has declined.

But what about the other areas of the midfielder's game?

Boss Eddie Howe naturally wants his midfielders to provide the link between attack and defence, protecting and progressing the ball effectively.

Unfortunately, Guimaraes' passes per 90 have slumped from 51 to 38, and his efficiency has also dropped from 84.3% to 81.6%. Small increments for sure but when added together there has been a downturn in his displays.

And when it comes to the more defensive side of the game, the number of tackles Guimaraes is putting in per 90 has lessened from 2.4 to 1.6. Indeed, the only metric where he has increased is the amount of fouls - from 1.27 per game to 1.6!

If Newcastle are to stay in contention for Champions League qualification, and stand a chance of winning their first major silverware since 1955 when they head to Wembley on 16 March, they will need their captain to rediscover his form.

*all stats provided by Opta

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson spoke to BBC Radio Newcastle about Wednesday's defeat at Liverpool: "It always felt like Liverpool had another gear. They were just stroking it around. Everything we did was rushed and hurried whereas they seemed to be in total control of everything they did."

Anderson was particularly frustrated about Bruno Guimaraes' performance, adding: "I think he has been awful lately. There was times [against Liverpool] where he looked like he couldn't run. He was chasing shadows at times - [Ibrahima] Konate strolled past him as if he wasn't there. He looked like he had no legs at all.

"I think he has been poor for a while. Some players are poor and get absolutely battered for it and some players are poor and no one mentions it."

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Guimaraes won possession back only once - a low mark he shared with several players. Meanwhile, Sandro Tonali regained possession nine times for Newcastle while Dominik Szobozslai did so eight times.

On BBC Radio Newcastle's social media, reacting to Anderson's criticism of Guimaraes, Newcastle fans wrote:

Stephen: He has never been able to run and he needs legs around him but without Joelinton, we just don;t have that. As controversial as this sounds, if an offer comes in for Bruno or Joelinton I would take it.

Mark: Not been quite the same since being given the captaincy and is now being overshadowed by Isak and Tonali. Still a top player but is better higher up the park.

CJ: Covers loads of ground and wins loads of duels. Bit of an overreaction.

Joelinton Lover: Given how composed Lewis Miley has looked last couple of weeks (I know they're completely different players) I'd play him Tonali and Willock and give Bruno a rest. He's pretty much played football non-stop for two years.

Chris: Been saying this for a while. I can't remember watching him play and thinking he made a real difference. Not since Tonali came in actually.

David: He's been terrible since Christmas, even worse without Joelinton's legs next to him too. Does he have some muscle injury we aren't aware of? Or maybe just fatigue because it's like he can't run at full pelt or strike a ball with any power. I can't remember him controlling a game this season.

Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe caught up with BBC Radio Newcastle in the aftermath of Wednesday's defeat by Liverpool.

Listen to what he had to say below.

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We asked for your views on Newcastle's Premier League match at Liverpool.

Here are some of your comments:

Krish: When you play at Anfield you need to take chances or make the keeper work and we couldn't do that. We limited Liverpool to only a few chances but there's a clear divide in quality without Alexander Isak, Joelinton and Sven Botman. We need positive performances ahead of the final

Robert: Sadly it's going to be more than 70 years of winning a trophy in this country for Newcastle United. It seemed like men against boys.

David: We never laid a glove on Liverpool. The tactics were sound, but when you give possession away whilst attacking probably the best side in Europe they will hurt you. Some of the fringe players look like they are going through the motions now. So a summer reshuffle must be on the cards in the summer to mount a sustainable top four challenge.

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Anth: It was disappointingly lame to be honest. The players didn't look convinced they could do anything and Liverpool seem to sense that and did just enough to get over the line. It felt like if we had a little more belief, we could have done some damage, but it was not to be. Not one shot on target tells the whole story. Isak missing out was a kick in the teeth before it even started, but I get a faint whiff of a little 'poker' being played by our Eddie, with one eye on the Carabao Cup final? We shall see.

Ritchie: Beat before a ball was kicked. We should have played 5-4-1 but again we never laid a glove on Liverpool. No aggression, passion or pressing. Disgraceful. both goals were gifted from our own mistakes. Nick Pope was poor again and Bruno Guimaraes was missing, just like at Manchester City. if Eddie Howe is playing the long game and ticking over until the cup final, that is a massive risk. There is a high chance we will lose that and miss out on Europe.

Emily Salley
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

Facing league leaders Liverpool at their Anfield fortress was always going to prove a tough ask.

Without your top goalscorer, the task becomes all the more difficult.

To make matters worse, Newcastle were relying on a striker who had played just 77 minutes of Premier League football this season.

Callum Wilson looked lively in the first half as he deputised for the injured Alexander Isak, finding himself clear on goal on two occasions.

But his finishing, as you would expect from a player who has struggled for playing time, was off the well off the mark as he skewed two strikes wide.

The England striker will need time to get back to full fitness, but with Isak in top form and expected to be back soon his opportunities are likely to be limited.

Newcastle fans will be hopeful that Isak was the missing piece tonight as they look ahead to a trip to Wembley on 16 March for the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool.

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe, speaking to TNT Sports: "We played OK tonight, decent performance. Disappointed with goals we conceded.

"The first goal we don't track him into the box. We're fighting in the game after that to try and get the next goal. But then we do exactly the same thing. Two soft goals.

"Callum [Wilson] will always back himself and we back him to take the chances, they're not easy opportunities. He played well tonight, led the line and played well."

On having no shots on target: "Not good, can't sit there and say we planned that. We had opportunities, obviously you're not going to get an abundance of chances here so when you do you have to take them and we didn't do that tonight."

On lessons for facing Liverpool again in the Carabao Cup final: "You always learn, sometimes you learn more in defeat than victory an two games against them this season we've been competitive but we have to perform better than today if we want to win the trophy.

"We need to find our best rhythm again, we have a few players out missing hopefully we can get them back. Big games, big moments in our season. We're still in both cups and we want to stay that way."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle have lost four of their last six league games (W2) - as many as in their previous 16 (W8 D4 L4).

Were you at the game or following from elsewhere?

Have your say on Liverpool's performance

What did you make of Newcastle's display?

Come back to this page on Thursday to find a selection of your replies

Five matches make up Wednesday's Premier League action

• Brentford v Everton

• Man Utd v Ipswich

• Nottingham Forest v Arsenal

• Tottenham v Man City

• Liverpool v Newcastle (20:15)

All kick-off times 19:30 GMT unless stated

Follow all the action and reaction here

Newcastle boss Eddie Howe has spoken about the battle between Martin Dubravka and Nick Pope for Newcastle's goalkeeper position.

He says he does not like having to leave players out, but accepts it is a prerequisite of being a football manager.

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Eddie Howe has backed Lewis Miley to be an "outstanding" player at Newcastle "for a number of years".

Miley scored on Sunday in his first Premier League start of the season against Nottingham Forest, and Howe says the 18-year-old can achieve whatever he wants in the game, preferably at St James' Park.

"He can be anything - he could really solidify that position and be outstanding for us for a number of years," Howe said. "He's going to need a bit of luck to do that - every player needs to stay fit and injury free - that's why we need to look after him.

"He can do a bit of everything, he's got the running capacity - the big lungs that enable him to physically produce what he needs to in those positions.

"H has all the technical and most importantly mental capabilities. He's played some huge games but played them like he would in training.

"He's very composed - one of our best technical players - so I see a bright future but he will have all the pitfalls that young players have. He needs to stay humble and level, concentrate on his training and listen to his coaches."

After Miley missed the end of last season with a back injury and then fracturing his foot to be out for the start of this campaign, Howe stressed the importance of protecting the teenager's development.

"At 17 years old, he developed a back problem, which was a big blow for him," Howe said. "We need to recognise that fact and look after him with the utmost care at this moment in his career.

"He has the look of a guy in his early 20s. He's filled out, looks stronger and quicker. He's still going through growth spurts and his body will be changing on a daily basis so we need to have that in mind all the time."

Listen to the full clip on BBC Sounds

This fixture has plenty of history behind it - Liverpool's 4-3 win at Anfield in 1996 will always be remembered as a Premier League classic.

Newcastle come into it in good shape after a good win over Nottingham Forest, but the way Liverpool beat Manchester City was extremely impressive.

It was such a mature performance by Arne Slot's side to soak up City's possession and be so clinical in front of goal.

We know by now that Slot's side will be hard to beat, while Newcastle are still quite up and down - they were very poor when they went to Etihad Stadium last week.

They are capable of giving Liverpool a good game but I am going to say that the leaders will take the points and carry on their title charge.

Along with Forest striker Chris 'The Wood Chopper' Wood, Newcastle's Alexander Isak has been one of the best players in the Premier League this season, but there is only one candidate to be crowned player of the year.

Liverpool's Mohamed Salah's numbers are extraordinary and he looks as hungry as ever. He has been relentless, and he is not done yet.

Sutton's prediction: 2-1

Read the full predictions and have your say here

Is Alexander Isak playing out of position?

Would the Sweden international leave the club if they were to fail to qualify for the Champions League this season?

Would it be a positive season for Newcastle even if they do not win a trophy?

BBC Radio Newcastle dives into all of these questions as sports editor Colin White, former Magpie defender John Anderson, journalist Ian Murtagh and NUFC fan Jackson debate everything about the club.

Listen to the episode on BBC Sounds

Image source, Getty Images

We asked you to tell us one thing that no-one is talking about at Newcastle United.

Here are some of your replies:

Taylor: Investment in the academy has been ramping up. While some fans worry about the lack of decent first-team transfers, we are seeing some superb youngsters developing. Miley, Munda, Sanusi, Finnegan, Harrison and more could all break through in the next two years. The future is bright - the future is black and white.

David: Jacob Murphy's form has been sensational this season, consistently contributing goals and assists. His form is that good that surely he has to be in contention for an international call-up.

John: Sitting back when we are ahead. It has been the same for years. No killer instinct as if it is a crime to hammer the opposition. When we lead we need to look to double the score.

Dale: No-one is talking about Anthony Gordon's form. I am not sure what is going on but he needs to do better. He is not consistent and can go missing at times in games.

Jack: Eddie Howe is playing around with various players' positions, something he has succeeded with in the past - with Hall, Gordon and Joelinton, for example. Against Nottingham Forest, Harvey Barnes played on the right wing when he came on for Murphy, and Osula has also had a chance in this area despite his typical position being in the centre.

Image source, Getty Images

Former Newcastle defender John Anderson thinks the decision to offer goalkeeper Martin Dubravka a new contract and then drop him from the starting line-up "is a really strange one".

Speaking about the decision to BBC Radio Newcastle, Anderson said: "That's what you get when you sign a new contract - I think he'll feel disappointed.

"He came in for criticism against Manchester City and I defended him - I didn't think there was a great deal he could have done for any of them [the goals].

"I think he'll feel aggrieved and he hasn't done a great deal wrong, but, it is what is it.

"I know Eddie Howe has been reluctant to say who the number one goalkeeper is, but after the decision [against Nottingham Forest] I think we all know who the number one is."

When asked if he sees Dubravka starting for the Magpies again this season, Anderson answered: "I don't think so - unless Nick Pope picks up an injury. I think he's there for the rest of the season - it's a really strange one.

"Dubravka has come in and done really, really well, then they offer him a new contract, and then they drop him. It doesn't make sense.

"They've got more goalkeepers than they know what to do with.

"They signed a kid from Nottingham Forest who they obviously don't fancy at all. He's never never involved and it wouldn't surprise me if another goalkeeper comes in the summer."

Listen to the full clip here

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Since losing their first Premier League home game against Newcastle 2-0 in April 1994, Liverpool are unbeaten in their past 28 against the Magpies at Anfield in the competition (W23 D5).

Meanwhile, Newcastle are winless in 16 Premier League games against the Reds, since a 2-0 win in December 2015 under Steve McClaren.

Newcastle United will listen to offers for goalkeeper Nick Pope in the summer. (Football Insider), external

Manchester City are interested in making Magpies right-back Tino Livramento part of their summer rebuild. (Telegraph - subscription required), external

Meanwhile, club chairman Yasir Al-Rumayyan has travelled to the city to make the final decision on stadium plans. (Sun), external

Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column

Follow the gossip column on BBC Sport

Newcastle's quest for Champions League football has been debated at length, and they held on to beat rivals Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

But you know the club best, so we want to know the one thing - good or bad - going under the radar at St James' Park right now.

Tell us here

The Monday Night Club panel discussed PSR and the impact it is having on clubs like Newcastle.

"It must be so frustrating for Newcastle fans with these PSR rules," said former England goalkeeper Paul Robinson.

"They're the richest club in the world and the story every transfer window is: 'Oh, they have to sell Alexander Isak or Bruno Guimaraes.'

"They should be allowed to spend what other clubs have spent over the years. How are they going to close that gap quickly? They're not - they're going to have to balance the books.

"The squad that Eddie Howe wants is probably three or four windows away, but they have the money to do that now."

The Athletic journalist Rory Smith responded: "I'd go the other way on the financial rules. I get it's frustrating for Newcastle, but I'm not convinced football should be decided by which team can attract the biggest country to back it.

"There is also the benefit that, if you're Arsenal, you probably can't sign Isak any more as it would put you at risk of breaking the rules.

"That makes Isak more likely to stay at Newcastle and there is a bigger spread of talent throughout the league."

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Watch Monday Night Club on BBC iPlayer or listen on BBC Sounds