Newcastle United captain Kieran Trippier has called for a response against Liverpool.
The Magpies have picked up just six points in their last six games, winning twice and losing four. They visit Anfield bruised from their defeat at home to Nottingham Forest after Chris Wood came back to haunt his former club, netting a treble in a 3-1 win.
It made it back-to-back disappointment after their narrow defeat away at relegation-battling Luton Town. The festive period has been gruelling for the North East club after being forced to deal with injuries and the added element of their Champions League campaign.
Their bid for European knockout qualification came to an end against AC Milan and since their controversial defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle’s form has gradually dipped with Trippier’s form also suffering. During his slump, the former Atletico Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur has been susceptible to errors which have been costly – including two away at Everton and against Chelsea in the Carabao Cup, before firing wide during the penalty shootout.
“We know we can do better,” said the 33-year-old. “The standards we set throughout the last 18 months, we have come away from them a little bit in the last few games. My standards have dropped and my own performances have been nowhere near recently. I won’t shy away from it.
“I have had a lot of setbacks in my career and this is just another one where I need to keep going and keep believing. I have always got that belief to bounce back.”
Newcastle face Liverpool on New Year’s Day looking to return to winning ways. They take on the Reds looking for revenge after Darwin Nunez inspired a comeback for Jurgen Klopp’s 10 men earlier in the season.
Virgil van Dijk was controversially sent-off for denying a goalscoring opportunity, following a trip on Aleksandar Isak, before the Uruguayan fired Liverpool to an unlikely three points. The win over Burnley on Boxing Day steered Liverpool to the top of the Premier League and they will be looking to keep the pressure on in the title race.
But Trippier has called for a response. He added: “We’ve had a lot of injuries, the lads have given everything and worked hard for each other, but we have to start the second half of the season strong.
“Teams always go through moments and we are going through one now, but football changes quickly and for sure this team will bounce back.”
