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Newcastle United player set for ‘ultimate test’ vs Liverpool after worrying coaches thought he was rubbish
James Rutherford
3 – 4 minutes
Lewis Hall has an unenviable task as Newcastle United prepare to face Liverpool.
The Magpies are set to take on Liverpool at Anfield, as Eddie Howe aims to secure his first victory over the Reds as Newcastle United manager.
But this is not any Liverpool team. This is a team that is top of the Premier League and looks destined to be crowned as champions.
They are a team that boasts Mo Salah, who is arguably the best player in the world right now. Playing off the right of attack, Salah has 25 goals and 16 assists in the Premier League this season.
That is what Lewis Hall has to handle, with the 20-year-old tasked with stopping Salah. He features in Geordie Boot Boys’ predicted Newcastle XI to face Liverpool.
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Photo by Rene Nijhuis/MB Media/Getty Images
Eddie Howe previews Lewis Hall vs Newcastle United
It could be a difficult night for Hall. He played really well in Newcastle’s 3-3 draw with Liverpool in December, yet Salah still managed to get two goals and an assist.
The Newcastle United defender must keep a world class talent at bay, and Eddie Howe has spoken to the media about the challenge that Lewis Hall is set to face.
“He knows that he’s going to have a real battle on his hands if he plays and Mohamed Salah plays,” he said.
“I think probably the ultimate test in the Premier League for a left-back to do well against a player of his qualities.
“He’s [Salah] got standout qualities. The way that he plays – you sort of know what he’s going to do but it’s very difficult to stop. Liverpool find ways to get him a lot of the ball, so credit to him and the team for how he’s performed this year.
“It’s a big test for us to stop their right-hand side.”
Lewis Hall’s incredible journey at Newcastle United
Hall will be up against it at Anfield. However, the fact that he will be trusted to take on Salah is a testament to how much he has improved.
The £28million man is enjoying an incredible season, with Hall playing very well against Nottingham Forest.
While he still has a lot to learn, the fact that Hall is a consistent starter for Newcastle now sums up the level of trust he has from Eddie Howe.
It is a complete contrast to last season when Hall could not get on the pitch when Newcastle United were in the midst of a horrendous injury crisis.
But the former Chelsea player has put the work in behind the scenes. Hall has done extra training, refining his game and justifying why Newcastle United decided to invest in his potential.
According to the Daily Mail, Hall asked someone close to him if Newcastle coaches thought he was rubbish because he was having to do so much extra training. But that extra training is the reason he is where he is now.
It is the reason he is considered one of the Premier League’s left-backs this season. It is also why Alan Shearer thinks Hall should be England’s regular left-back.
There will be even more people thinking that if Hall can excel against Salah at Anfield.
