Sunday marks the start of a fresh chapter for two clubs in transition, with Matthias Jaissle and Andoni Iraola both leading their sides into the 2026-27 Premier League for the first time.
It's Premier League opening weekend action on Sunday, August 23, as Liverpool make the trip to St James' Park to face a Newcastle side hoping to shake off a shaky pre-season.
Newcastle closed out their pre-season on a three-match winless run, whereas Liverpool ended theirs on a high, seeing off Como 2-0.
Team Form
Newcastle United: DLWLLD across their pre-season friendlies.
Liverpool: WWLLDW, ending on back-to-back clean sheets.
Key Stats & Head-to-Head
Iraola himself has never lost to Newcastle in the top flight across his managerial career, with three wins and three draws to his name..
It is almost a year to the day since Liverpool's unforgettable 3-2 win over Newcastle in this exact fixture last season.
Newcastle have avoided defeat in each of their last four Premier League matchday one clashes.
Liverpool arrive on a 13-game unbeaten run in Premier League matchday one fixtures.
Jaissle has won his first game in charge at each of his three previous clubs, while Iraola has just one win from his last four opening matches, though unbeaten in all of them.
Newcastle's last Premier League win over Liverpool was in December 2015.
Lost Guimarães, Gordon and Tonali this summer, over £240m in departures.
Newcastle have won only 4 of 15 home Premier League meetings with Liverpool.
What to Expect From Both Teams
Newcastle United | Form: DLWLLD
It's been a turbulent close-season on Tyneside, with departures including Eddie Howe, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães, and Anthony Gordon following a difficult 2025-26 campaign.
A slide to as low as 12th in the table last term prompted the club to appoint 38-year-old Jaissle, who arrives with six trophies already won at Red Bull Salzburg and Al-Ahli.
Joelinton's groin injury and Tino Livramento's ongoing recovery from a calf issue mean several new signings could be handed their first competitive starts.
Liverpool | Form: WWLLDW
Iraola had already built goodwill among the Anfield faithful before officially taking the reins from Arne Slot, with supporters hoping he can bring back the intensity associated with the Jurgen Klopp years.
That intent showed in pre-season, with Liverpool racking up 20 goals across six friendlies before tightening things up defensively to shut out Como in back-to-back games.
Curtis Jones' expected departure for Inter Milan and Alexis Mac Allister's late return from the World Cup point to Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai as the midfield anchors.
Predicted Lineups
Newcastle United (possible):
Hornicek, Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Ramsey, Steur, Elanga, Wissa, Barnes, Osula.
Liverpool (possible):
Alisson, Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak.
Matchups & Players to Watch
Lukas Hornicek: Set to make his first Premier League appearance in goal for Newcastle.
Amar Dedic: Could feature for the first time with Livramento sidelined.
Ryan Gravenberch & Dominik Szoboszlai: Tipped to run Liverpool's midfield as Mac Allister works his way back to fitness.
Rio Ngumoha: Handed the responsibility of making up for what Liverpool misses without Mohamed Salah.
Odds Market on MSport
Newcastle United/Home to win = 3.88
Liverpool/Away to win = 1.97
Both teams to score (GG/NG Yes) = 1.49
Over 2.5 total goals = 1.51
This one shapes up as an early test of identity: a Newcastle side rebuilding under a new head coach against a Liverpool team looking to help Iraola extend his personal unbeaten record against these opponents.
With both clubs coming off mixed warm-up campaigns, St James' Park should provide a fitting curtain-raiser for the season ahead.
