Defending champions Liverpool head to St James’ Park on Monday, 25 August, for one of the most anticipated fixtures of the early Premier League season. Eddie Howe has promised an “electric” atmosphere under the lights, with the home crowd eager to unsettle Arne Slot’s men.
The fixture comes with added spice after a turbulent summer in which Newcastle star Alexander Isak has pushed for a move to Anfield. The Swede remains unavailable as talks continue behind the scenes, leaving Howe without his main striker.
Team News and Injuries
For Newcastle, the big blow is Isak’s absence, though there is some good news as Joe Willock has returned to training and Jacob Ramsey is available for selection. Howe is expected to rely on Anthony Gordon and Harvey Barnes to carry the attacking threat.
Liverpool, meanwhile, face their own problems in defence. Jeremie Frimpong has been ruled out with a hamstring injury until after the international break, while Conor Bradley is only just back in training and may not yet be fit to start. Joe Gomez’s fitness remains uncertain after limited minutes against Bournemouth.
On the positive side, Ryan Gravenberch is back from suspension and should return to midfield alongside Alexis Mac Allister. New signings Florian Wirtz, Hugo Ekitike, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong all made their debuts last week, with Ekitike opening his account in the 4–2 victory over Bournemouth.
Head-to-Head
Liverpool have historically dominated this fixture, winning 94 of the 190 meetings, compared to Newcastle’s 51 victories and 45 draws. The Reds are unbeaten in their last 17 league encounters with the Magpies, although Newcastle did secure a morale-boosting 2–1 win in the 2025 EFL Cup Final at Wembley.
Tactical Dilemmas for Slot
The right-back position is Liverpool’s biggest headache. With Frimpong out and Bradley and Gomez lacking full match sharpness, Slot could be forced into an experimental solution. Reports suggest Dominik Szoboszlai may once again be considered for the role, as trialled in pre-season, while Wataru Endo is also an option.
If Szoboszlai drops into defence, Gravenberch and Mac Allister are expected to anchor midfield, freeing up Florian Wirtz to play further forward. The front three should remain unchanged, with Mohamed Salah, Cody Gakpo and Ekitike leading the line.
Newcastle Threats
Even without Isak, Newcastle remain dangerous. Gordon has been tipped to play centrally as a false nine, while Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga will look to exploit any weakness in Liverpool’s reshuffled defence. With Bruno Guimaraes pulling the strings in midfield, the Magpies will fancy their chances of disrupting the champions.
@LiverpoolXtraa tweet down below:
This is how Liverpool will line up against Newcastle
XI (4-2-3-1):
Alisson; Szoboszlai (or Bradley), Konaté, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Wirtz, Gakpo; Ekitike.
Unavailable: Frimpong
Doubts: Bradley, Gomez
