Newcastle United meet Liverpool in a blockbuster opening-weekend encounter in the 2026-27 Premier League.
Newcastle are now under the reins of Matthias Jaissle after Eddie Howe resigned during pre-season, whilst Andoni Iraola is in charge of Liverpool after he was appointed in June following Arne Slot’s sacking.
Team News
Joelinton is ruled out for Newcastle with an unspecified injury.
Tino Livramento is also sidelined as he continues to recover from a calf injury, which forced him to withdraw from England’s squad before this summer’s FIFA World Cup commenced.
Liverpool will be without defender, Joe Gomez after he suffered a muscle injury in pre-season.
Conor Bradley (knee), Hugo Ekitike (Achilles) and Giovanni Leoni (ACL) remain absent.
When is Kick-Off?
Newcastle host Liverpool at St James’ Park on Sunday 23 August at 4:30pm BST, live on Sky Sports Main Event and Premier League in the UK.
Stat Attack
- Newcastle are winless in their last 19 league meetings against Liverpool (D5, L14)
- Liverpool have avoided defeat in their last nine visits to Newcastle (W6, D3).
- Newcastle claimed just seven points from their last eight league matches (W2, D1, L5).
- Andoni Iraola’s Reds kept just two clean sheets in pre-season (W3, D1, L2).
Prediction
Having had just two-and-a-half weeks under Jaissle following the surprising timing of Howe’s resignation, this clash is a huge learning opportunity for Newcastle because they’ve got nothing to lose in what probably is a season of adaption and rebuild.
Iraola’s biggest concern with Liverpool on the other hand is their defence which hasn’t exactly got many abuzz with enthusiasm coming into the season, although the midfield and attack do look more promising even despite the absence of Ekitike.
Both teams though are missing star players following departures of Newcastle’s Anthony Gordon, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Liverpool’s Mohamed Salah, Andrew Robertson plus Ibrahima Konate, so this match probably is going to be one of transition at a competitive level for the first time.
I however do think that Liverpool’s firepower nevertheless will still be too strong.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool