Rafa Benitez has confirmed that injured duo Jonjo Shelvey and Islam Slimani have been ruled out of Newcastle’s trip to Liverpool on Saturday
Shelvey was hurt in a collision with goalkeeper Martin Dubravka towards the end of the 2-2 draw with Bournemouth last weekend and requires further scans on his injured knee to ascertain the severity of the damage meaning he will miss the game against his former club.
Speaking at his post-match press conference this afternoon, Benitez told NUFC TV: “Jonjo Shelvey has a knock to his knee and he will not be available.
“We are waiting on the results of the scans. We don’t know how serious it is.
“He wants to train and play but we have to check. We don’t know how serious at the moment, but we have to wait & see exactly how he is.”
Benitez also provided updates on the availability of several other players, stating that Dwight Gayle and Matt Ritchie, both substituted at Bournemouth, are okay to feature at Anfield after picking up knocks.
But striker Islam Slimani is still unavailable due to a thigh injury.
“Gayle is fine, Ritchie is fine,” the United boss added. “Slimani is working hard to regain his fitness in training.”
Newcastle have failed to beat Liverpool on their Merseyside patch since 1994, but approach the game in a bullish mood after going unbeaten in their last four matches.