Newcastle United and Liverpool begin their 2026/27 Premier League campaigns against each other at St James’ Park on Sunday, August 23, 2026, with kickoff scheduled for 16:30 BST.
Both clubs enter the season after significant change. Matthias Jaissle has replaced Eddie Howe at Newcastle, while former Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola has succeeded Arne Slot at Liverpool.
Liverpool finished fifth last season to secure Champions League football, while Newcastle endured a more difficult domestic campaign after competing on several fronts. Both have also experienced substantial squad changes during the summer.
There is another major storyline: Alexander Isak returns to St James’ Park as a Liverpool player following his move from Newcastle last year. Recent head-to-head results strongly favor the visitors, although Newcastle's League Cup final victory in 2025 remains an important exception.
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Head-to-Head Summary
Liverpool have dominated the recent competitive record between these clubs.
Across the last 10 competitive meetings:
Newcastle United wins: 1
Liverpool wins: 8
Draws: 1
Newcastle United goals: 12
Liverpool goals: 24
Newcastle's sole victory was one of the most important games between the teams: their 2-1 League Cup final win at Wembley in March 2025, which ended the club's 70-year wait for a major domestic trophy.
In the Premier League, however, Liverpool's dominance has continued. They won both league meetings last season, scoring seven goals across the two matches. Newcastle have also not beaten Liverpool in a Premier League fixture since December 2015.
Last 10 Meetings
The most recent 10 competitive encounters are:
January 31, 2026 – Premier League: Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle United
August 25, 2025 – Premier League: Newcastle United 2-3 Liverpool
March 16, 2025 – League Cup Final: Liverpool 1-2 Newcastle United
February 26, 2025 – Premier League: Liverpool 2-0 Newcastle United
December 4, 2024 – Premier League: Newcastle United 3-3 Liverpool
January 1, 2024 – Premier League: Liverpool 4-2 Newcastle United
August 27, 2023 – Premier League: Newcastle United 1-2 Liverpool
February 18, 2023 – Premier League: Newcastle United 0-2 Liverpool
August 31, 2022 – Premier League: Liverpool 2-1 Newcastle United
April 30, 2022 – Premier League: Newcastle United 0-1 Liverpool
Liverpool have won eight of those matches, but several games at St James’ Park have been competitive. Last season's corresponding fixture is a good example. Newcastle pushed Liverpool deep into stoppage time before losing 3-2 to a decisive late goal.
The January return at Anfield was more convincing for Liverpool. Newcastle took the lead through Anthony Gordon, but Liverpool responded with four goals to win 4-1.
Newcastle United Current Form
Because Newcastle have not yet played a competitive match this season, their final five Premier League games of 2025/26 provide the most relevant competitive sample:
Fulham 2-0 Newcastle United
Newcastle United 3-1 West Ham United
Nottingham Forest 1-1 Newcastle United
Newcastle United 3-1 Brighton
Arsenal 1-0 Newcastle United
That produced two wins, one draw and two defeats, with seven goals scored and six conceded. The results illustrate the inconsistency that affected Newcastle late last season. Their home performances against Brighton and West Ham were convincing, but they ended the campaign with a 2-0 defeat at Fulham.
Preseason has been primarily about adapting to Jaissle's methods after Howe's departure. The new head coach has described the football he wants as front-footed, intense and aggressive, which should make Sunday's opener an important early test of how quickly the squad has adjusted.
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Liverpool Current Form
Liverpool also begin their competitive season on Sunday. Their final five Premier League results from 2025/26 were:
Liverpool 1-1 Brentford
Aston Villa 4-2 Liverpool
Liverpool 1-1 Chelsea
Manchester United 3-2 Liverpool
Liverpool 3-1 Crystal Palace
That gives Liverpool one win, two draws and two defeats, with nine goals scored and 10 conceded. It was an uneven finish to a season in which Liverpool eventually secured fifth place and Champions League qualification.
Their circumstances have changed substantially since then. Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté have all left the club, while Iraola is introducing a more direct, high-intensity approach. Preseason produced encouraging attacking periods but also exposed defensive vulnerabilities, making St James’ Park a demanding venue for Iraola's first competitive game.
Newcastle United Team News and Injuries
Newcastle have several fitness concerns ahead of the opener. Joelinton is expected to miss the match through injury, removing physical presence and pressing ability from a midfield that has already changed significantly during the summer.
Tino Livramento and Fabian Schär have also been dealing with fitness problems and are considered doubts rather than confirmed absentees. Sandro Tonali is no longer part of the squad after completing a permanent transfer to Tottenham in July.
That leaves Jaissle needing to establish a new midfield balance while also implementing his tactical ideas. Newcastle still possess attacking options including Anthony Elanga, Harvey Barnes, Yoane Wissa and Nick Woltemade, giving them pace and physical presence when they win possession.
Liverpool Team News and Injuries
Liverpool enter the opener without several players. Hugo Ekitiké, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni remain sidelined with long-term injuries. Ekitiké continues his recovery from an Achilles injury, while Bradley has been recovering from knee surgery and Leoni from an anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Joe Gomez has also been recovering from a muscle injury sustained during preseason. Wataru Endo has worked his way back towards fitness after earlier injury problems, while Alexis Mac Allister returned later to preseason following his World Cup commitments. The major positive is Alexander Isak, who is fit and available to face his former club.
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Tactical Match Analysis
Both teams are undergoing managerial transitions, making the tactical battle particularly interesting. Jaissle wants Newcastle to play aggressively and on the front foot. At St James’ Park, that is likely to mean pressing Liverpool's buildup and attempting to turn the match into a high-tempo contest.
That approach could trouble Liverpool. Iraola also favors aggressive pressing and quick vertical attacks, so both teams may attempt to force turnovers rather than patiently waiting in deeper defensive blocks.
Liverpool's challenge will be playing through Newcastle's initial pressure. Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz can help the visitors progress possession, but losing the ball centrally could allow Newcastle to attack Liverpool's defence before it is organised.
Newcastle, meanwhile, must be cautious about pressing too aggressively. Isak's movement can stretch the defensive line, while Wirtz has the technique to exploit spaces created when midfielders step forward.
The wide areas could also be decisive. Anthony Elanga gives Newcastle speed in transition, while Liverpool can attack through Cody Gakpo and their supporting full-backs. Given the tactical preferences of both new managers, control after turnovers may prove more important than overall possession.
Key Players to Watch
1. Alexander Isak
Isak's return to St James’ Park provides the biggest individual storyline. Beyond the emotion surrounding the occasion, his movement and finishing make him Liverpool's central attacking threat.
2. Florian Wirtz
Wirtz gives Liverpool creativity between midfield and attack. Newcastle's pressing could leave pockets of space behind their midfield line, and Wirtz is capable of exploiting them.
3. Anthony Elanga
Elanga provides Newcastle with direct pace from wide positions. His ability to attack space behind Liverpool's full-backs could become particularly important if the visitors dominate possession.
4. Nick Woltemade
Woltemade offers Newcastle a different attacking profile through his size, link play and ability to occupy central defenders. Liverpool's reshaped back line will need to manage his physical presence.
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What the Numbers Tell Us
The recent statistics strongly favor Liverpool:
Liverpool have won eight of the last 10 competitive meetings.
Newcastle have won once, with one draw.
Liverpool have outscored Newcastle 24-12 across those matches.
Liverpool won both Premier League meetings last season.
Newcastle have not beaten Liverpool in the Premier League since December 2015.
Liverpool scored seven goals across the two league meetings in 2025/26.
Newcastle's only win in the last 10 came in the 2025 League Cup final.
Both clubs are entering their first competitive match under new head coaches.
The H2H record therefore gives Liverpool a substantial historical advantage. The uncertainty comes from how much both teams have changed since last season.
Who Has the Advantage?
Liverpool have the statistical advantage, primarily because their recent record against Newcastle is too strong to ignore. Eight victories from the last 10 competitive meetings, including a league double last season, provide a clear H2H edge. However, the situation is not as straightforward as those numbers suggest.
Liverpool are adjusting to life without several major long-term players and are beginning a new tactical cycle under Iraola. Newcastle are also rebuilding under Jaissle and have the benefit of opening the season at St James’ Park.
A draw is therefore a realistic outcome, particularly if Newcastle can use their pressing and home atmosphere to disrupt Liverpool's buildup. The visitors nevertheless possess the stronger recent H2H record and greater proven attacking quality, giving Liverpool the narrower overall edge.
Conclusion
Newcastle United vs Liverpool brings together two clubs entering new eras and makes one of the Premier League's most intriguing opening-weekend fixtures. Liverpool have dominated the recent rivalry, winning eight of the last 10 competitive meetings and both league encounters last season.
Newcastle's memorable League Cup final victory in 2025 shows they can overcome the Reds in a high-pressure match, but their Premier League record in this fixture remains poor. Both teams must also adapt to significant summer changes. Jaissle is attempting to establish a more aggressive Newcastle side, while Iraola is reshaping Liverpool following several notable departures.
St James’ Park should make the contest competitive, and another close game is plausible. However, the recent H2H record and Liverpool's attacking options give the visitors the stronger statistical advantage heading into the new season.