Newcastle vs Liverpool Preview: Team News & Prediction

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Both of these teams will be under pressure from the off as Newcastle United kick off their Premier League campaign with the visit of Liverpool to St James’ Park.

Kick-off date/time: 23 August 2026 at 4:30 pm

How to watch on TV: UK – Sky Sports / USA – USA Network

How to watch online: UK – Sky Go / USA – Telemundo

Newcastle preview: Under pressure Magpies

Eddie Howe had done a good job at Newcastle United. He has qualified for the UEFA Champions League twice and won them the EFL Cup, reaching the final of that competition on another occasion, but last season heaped the pressure on him and he has since departed mid-way through pre-season replaced by Matthias Jaissle.

Jaissle led Al Ahli to back-to-back AFC Champions League titles after leaving Red Bull Salzburg a few years ago as one of the more highly rated young coaches in Europe.

The top eight in the Premier League qualified for European competition with Brighton qualifying on just 53 points. Newcastle finished in the bottom-half of the table and were closer to the bottom three and the relegation places than they were to the top five and the UEFA Champions League spots.

Liverpool preview: Getting back to the top

Having won the Premier League title in the 2024-25 season, Liverpool then endured the tragic death of Diogo Jota. The following season saw The Reds, naturally unfit due to their summer that also saw them spend around £400 million on new players, fall to fifth in the table.

They secured UEFA Champions League qualification as late as the final day of the season and that then saw Arne Slot depart the club. He has been replaced by Andoni Iraola, who led AFC Bournemouth to a sixth place finish in the Premier League last season, just three points behind Liverpool.

Newcastle team news: Major changes

Matthias Jaissle has some big decisions to make with several key players having departed and several new signings made with experienced midfielder Joelinton also sidelined for the time being.

In defence, versatile full-back Tino Livramento remains sidelined but should be back next week. New signing Amar Dedic may therefore come straight into the eleven.

Predicted XI (4-3-3): Hornicek; Miley, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Steur, Bamba, Ramsey; Elanga, Woltemade, Barnes

Unavailable: Livramento (Injured), Joelinton (Injured)

Questionable: 

Newcastle’s top FPL assets

Lewis Hall (£5.0m) – Defender

Harvey Barnes (£6.0m) – Midfielder

Anthony Elanga (£6.0m) – Midfielder

Gameweek 1 captain pick: Harvey Barnes

Liverpool team news: Isak ready to start

After his troublesome start to last season as he completed his £125 million move from Newcastle to Liverpool, Sweden international striker Alexander Isak is now fully fit and expected to start on the opening day away at his former club.

Alexis Mac Allister returned to action in pre-season against Como alongside summer signing Jeremy Jacquet. Curtis Jones is set to complete a move to Internazionale but the England international has missed game in pre-season due to a supposed injury anyway.

Predicted XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Szoboszlai, Mac Allister; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

Unavailable: Gomez (Injured), Leoni (Injured), Bradley (Injured), Ekitike (Injured), Danns (Fitness)

Questionable: Jones (Injured)

Liverpool’s top FPL assets

Virgil van Dijk (£6.5m) – Defender

Dominik Szoboszlai (£7.0m) – Midfielder

Alexander Isak (£9.0m) – Forward

Gameweek 1 captain pick: Alexander Isak

Newcastle vs Liverpool prediction

What has been a theme of the Eddie Howe era, and did remain the case with some famous victories last year, is that, even when they have largely underwhelmed during some spells, they have got themselves up for the so-called ‘big’ teams, especially at St James’ Park. Liverpool will take time to get used to Iraola’s extremely aggressive style, as was the case in his first season at Bournemouth, and so that may further help Newcastle with both teams scoring seeming a decent bet for this one on Tyneside.

Newcastle vs Liverpool tip: Both teams to score