Newcastle host Liverpool in the Premier League’s late kick off this afternoon with both clubs having undergone managerial changes in the summer break.
Eddie Howe departed as Newcastle boss following the sales of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon with his replacement Matthias Jaissle tasked with rebuilding the team this season. He faces a difficult opener with the Magpies winless in their last 19 top-flight encounters with Liverpool, though regime change at Anfield as well could present an opportunity to end that run.
Andoni Iraola takes charge of Liverpool having replaced Arne Slot. He will be hoping to bring the best out of Alexander Isak, who faces a hostile return to St James’ Park, and Florian Wirtz who underperformed in their first season with the Reds while also figuring out how exactly Liverpool can replace Mohamed Salah who has departed for Turkey. Iraola has himself admitted his squad was “thin” in some areas.
It is also set to be an emotional afternoon at St James’ Park as Newcastle and Liverpool join together to pay tribute to Kevin Keegan, who was a legendary figure at both clubs. Keegan passed away in July at the age of 75 and fans of both clubs will pay tribute before kick-off.
Follow all the action from St. James’ Park with our live blog below:
An alternative Iraola universe?
In another world, Andoni Iraola would be in the Newcastle dugout this afternoon making his bow as Eddie Howe’s successor. The Spaniard was said to be targeted by the Magpies towards the end of last season.
Instead, he’s with the opposition, carrying the Liverpool torch from Arne Slot.
Can this match live up to previous years?
Here’s Richard Jolly inside St James’ Park:
Newcastle v Liverpool was arguably the game of the Premier League season in each of the last two years. Will Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool be as entertaining as Arne Slot? In general, of course, the task is to be more interesting.
Iraola parachutes Jeremy Jacquet in for a debut while Rio Ngumoha gets the chance to fill Mohamed Salah’s shoes on the right wing.
The new Newcastle manager, Matthias Jassle, is without his recently appointed captain and vice-captain, Dan Burn and Joelinton. Three players are given debuts from the start in Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic and Sean Steuer.
Liverpool team news
Alexander Isak leads the line on his return to St James’ Park, preparing to assume the role of public enemy number one at his former stomping grounds.
Jeremy Jacquet also makes a debut in the centre of defence alongside captain Virgil Van Dijk, while there’s a start for young starlet Rio Ngumoha ahead of fellow new boy Victor Munoz.
Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Newcastle team news
Newcastle new boy Lukas Hornicek starts in between the sticks while Amar Dedic and Sean Steur also make their Premier League debuts.
Yoane Wissa is preferred to Nick Woltemade up front.
Newcastle XI: Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Steur, Miley; Elanga, Osula, Barnes; Wissa.
Line-ups on their way
Just a couple minutes until team news is confirmed for both sides – we’ll bring it to you as it comes in…
Tributes to be paid to Kevin Keegan
Something much greater is attached to this Premier League curtain-raiser than simply starting the season well.
This afternoon’s meeting at St James’ Park will be preceded by a undoubtedly stirring tribute to Kevin Keegan, a legend of both Liverpool and Newcastle.
A double Ballon d’Or winner, Keegan was most revered for his feats as a manager at Newcastle and as a player at Liverpool, forging a successful career that included three First Division titles, one FA Cup, one European Cup, and two Uefa Cups as well as two Bundesliga titles between the years of 1968 and 1984.
His passing in July following a battle with cancer led to an outpouring of love from the football world, and ‘King Kev’ will be in the minds of all inside the ground today.
Team news
Iraola will be without four members of his first-team squad, with Joe Gomez, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni all sidelined for the first few weeks of the season at least.
Team news
Newcastle will only be without two members of the squad, though it is two key members as both Joelinton and Tino Livramento are sidelined.
When is Newcastle vs Liverpool?
Newcastle host Liverpool at St James’ Park on Sunday 23 August, with kick-off at 4.30pm BST.
How can I watch it?
Viewers in the UK can watch the match on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage following Manchester City vs Bournemouth. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.
Newcastle v Liverpool live
But hopes are high as Liverpool once again hope to challenge for the title, with the likes of Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and new signing Jeremy Jacquet expected to shine this year.
As for Newcastle, they are another club starting a new era this season, with Matthias Jaissle having replaced the long-serving Eddie Howe over the summer.
The German has his work cut out after losing the likes of Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes and Anthony Gordon over the summer.
But a win in a huge opening game against Liverpool would be the perfect start as he looks to endear himself to the Magpies faithful.
