Alan Shearer considers overhaul of Newcastle side for Liverpool match

Apr 30 2009 by Mark Douglas, The Journal

ALAN Shearer is contemplating another overhaul of his Newcastle United side for the trip to Liverpool this weekend – but he has hinted that Alan Smith has done enough to retain his place for the rest of the relegation run-in.

With the Reds in a rich vein of attacking form and needing a win to keep their Premier League title hopes alive, Shearer is likely to ditch the three-pronged attack at Anfield in favour of a four-man midfield that will offer protection to his defence.

Although Ryan Taylor and Kevin Nolan were left out of the match-day squad for the goalless draw against Portsmouth on Monday, Shearer (pictured right) has made it clear that both of them remain in his thinking for the final four games – and either of them may return to the starting line-up.

Danny Guthrie is another candidate for a midfield berth as he returns to the club that he left for Newcastle in the summer.

Whoever Shearer opts for on Sunday, they are likely to be operating alongside the recalled Smith.

He impressed United’s boss as he made his fifth appearance of the season against Portsmouth.

“I thought Alan was fantastic,” Shearer said. “He gave us everything he had and justified his place in the starting line-up.

“I thought he worked very hard. We made five changes against Portsmouth, we just wanted to try to freshen things up – to try to change things around.

“That was the only reason that we did it.

“Kevin Nolan wasn’t injured. We were just trying something different – his time might come again.”

Shearer’s priorities this week are trying to conjure up a formula to get an unlikely win at Liverpool, while simultaneously ensuring spirits aren’t dented too much by the failure to beat Portsmouth.

Certainly, the Newcastle boss has been making the right noises about his team’s intentions in the North West this weekend. While admitting that it will be a tough game, he says that United retain the belief that they can win.