Reds face tough Magpies exam

LIVERPOOL. — Liverpool’s free-scoring form faces a challenge as their former manager Rafa Benitez returns to Anfield with Newcastle in the English Premier League today.

Optimism is high for Jurgen Klopp’s side, who climbed briefly into second place after beating West Ham 4-1 last Saturday, before Manchester United moved back above them with victory over Chelsea a day later.

The latest win at Anfield offered another example of the thrilling football that Liverpool have played under Klopp this season, scoring 103 goals in 40 games in all competitions.

Of those goals, 66 have been shared between the formidable front three of Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Sadio Mane. Liverpool should know that former boss Benitez knows how to set up a team to frustrate opponents. Liverpool must be wary of falling into the trap that caught them when they suffered their most recent defeat, 1-0 at Swansea on January 22. That night, Swansea manager Carlos Carvalhal suggested that Liverpool were like a Formula One car stuck in a rush-hour traffic jam, referring to the way his players had worked to stop Salah, Firmino and Sane.

Fixtures (all 5pm unless otherwise stated) Today: Burnley v Everton (2:30pm); Leicester City v Bournemouth; Swansea City v West Ham; Tottenham Hotspur v Huddersfield Town; Southampton v Stoke City; Watford v West Bromwich Albion; Liverpool v Newcastle United (7:30pm). Tomorrow: Brighton & Hove Albion v Arsenal (3:30pm); Manchester City v Chelsea (6pm). Monday: Crystal Palace v Manchester United (10pm).