Football writer Adrian Clarke identifies the key players, team tactics, and where the matches could be won and lost in Matchweek 27.
Player Analysis: Alexander Isak (Newcastle) and Virgil van Dijk (Liverpool)
Newcastle United often save their best performances for the big occasions. This season, they have beaten Arsenal (three times), Chelsea, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur, while also picking up draws against Manchester City and Liverpool. Eddie Howe has set his team up in a physical, mid-to-low block in all those matches, sacrificing possession in a counter-attacking formula that regularly disrupts the flow of big-name opponents. Can he repeat these tactics and end leaders Liverpool’s 23-match unbeaten run on Wednesday night?
Key Duel: Isak vs. Van Dijk
This season’s best Premier League striker will take on the division’s most accomplished central defender at Anfield, and it promises to be an elite battleground you cannot take your eyes off. With 19 goals to his name in the top flight, Isak is in the form of his life. When you study his record compared to other center-forwards this season, excluding the Reds’ irrepressible right-winger Mohamed Salah, there is no question Isak has been the top performer.
The Swede has been exceptional, netting a goal every 104.21 minutes. Even when you bring 25-goal superstar Salah into the conversation, Isak’s finishing prowess is still the best of the bunch. His 69.39% shooting accuracy tops the rankings of all 19 players who have scored at least eight goals, and in terms of successfully converting big chances, there is no other Premier League player that has been more clinical than Newcastle’s talisman in 2024/25.
But if anyone can handle Isak right now, it would be Van Dijk, who has enjoyed yet another exemplary campaign in the heart of Liverpool’s back four. Showing no signs of age, the 33-year-old has not made a single error that has led to a shot or goal this season. Since returning from a torn ACL suffered in October 2020, Van Dijk has been the division’s best defender by some distance.
How Isak Can Cause Van Dijk Problems
Isak will not be fazed by the challenge, as he has scored three goals in five appearances against Liverpool in the Premier League. Meanwhile, in one of the matches where he failed to score, Isak drew a foul from Van Dijk that saw the latter handed a straight red card. Isak’s movement has the potential to unnerve Van Dijk as the Swede is always looking to run down the side of the defender. Isak is a master at drifting back from innocuous offside positions to offer himself for through-balls from Newcastle teammates.
Away Day Optimism
Winning 2-0 at Emirates Stadium in the EFL Cup semi-final will give Newcastle added belief that they can prevail at Anfield too. Home advantage seems to have diminished in the Premier League this season, with 36% of all victories coming from the visiting side in 2024/25. Remarkably, after the weekend’s action – where seven away teams claimed victory – we currently have perfect home/away equilibrium for goals scored.
These numbers may give Newcastle encouragement, and so too will Isak’s performance levels on the road this season. Ten of the Swede’s 19 strikes have come away from St James’ Park, with Salah, Justin Kluivert, and Matheus Cunha the only other players in double figures who have been more prolific on their travels than at home.
Newcastle’s best chance of causing an upset against Liverpool at Anfield will be to create chances for Isak within the first half or before the 60-minute mark. That is when he is at his best, scoring 18 of his 19 goals within the opening 60 minutes of matches this season. If they can get Isak to strike fast again, Newcastle could put a slight dent in Liverpool’s title charge.
