TOON ARE MASTERS AT SLOWING PLAY DOWN, IT’S LIKE AN ART FORM

NEWCASTLE have a fantastic chance today to see off any attempt from Liverpool to squeeze them out of a top-four finish. They have drawn five of their last six league games, but St James’ Park will be rocking for this, not least because of the friction between the sides left over from their last meeting. Newcastle’s game management has been first-class. Recognising when to skilfully slow down play against the best opponents is a tactic that should not be underestimated. Liverpool are the only side to have beaten Newcastle in the league this season and Jurgen Klopp felt their 98th-minute winner at Anfield in August was justice for their opponents’ time-wasting. The average ‘ball in play’ time for Premier League teams this season gives us an idea of which clubs create the most stoppages and Newcastle (51 minutes, 28 seconds) are at the opposite end of the table to Liverpool (57 minutes, 34 seconds). But Eddie Howe’s Newcastle can play in various ways. They are capable of playing out from the back but are willing to adapt their style if Liverpool apply their pressing game, by hitting the ball long to deny them any joy from pinching possession high up the pitch. That was evident in the reverse fixture at Anfield as Newcastle sent 24 per cent of their passes long — the highest percentage they have recorded this season. If Newcastle do pass out from the back, they can be efficient, often hitting diagonal balls to the right where Kieran Trippier flies forward and the effervescent Miguel Almiron bursts inside to shoot or link with Callum Wilson or Alexander Isak. Joelinton knits

things together, whether out on the left or in central midfield. Having no Bruno Guimaraes or Joe Willock is a big issue for Newcastle, but it has given a chance to Allan Saint-Maximin, so often their best player in the past, to rekindle his Newcastle career.