Eddie Howe has called this weekend’s clash with Liverpool a ‘good test’ for Newcastle and has opened up on the club’s signing of Lewis Hall from Chelsea.
Newcastle host Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday, as the Magpies look to bounce back from last weekend’s loss at Manchester City.
Newcastle have endured a difficult recent record against the Reds and have not beaten Liverpool in the Premier League since December 2015, while Liverpool won both fixtures in the league last season.
Howe admits his side were ‘disappointed’ with those defeats and is hopeful Newcastle can earn a positive result against a transitional Liverpool team.
“Last year we were disappointed with two defeats. The one at Anfield was a difficult night and the home game was painful in a different way,” he said at his pre-match press conference.
“They’re very, very good at what they’ve been historically good at for four or five years, but they are building a new team with slightly different characteristics in midfield. We know this is another really good test for us, following on from Man City and Aston Villa.”
Newcastle completed their fourth major signing of the summer this week after the arrival of Lewis Hall on loan from Chelsea with an obligation to buy.
Howe admits he was impressed with the versatile 18-year-old last season and hopes Hall can prove to be a ‘good signing’ for the Magpies.
“He played against us a couple of times last year and he impressed me for someone so young to come into those situations and perform the way he did. He caught my eye immediately.
“I really liked his attitude, his physical and technical attributes so I think he’s going to be a good signing for us.”
