Last update at 23 August, 2026 ⏲️ Reading time: 4 minutes
Premier League @ 23.08.2026
St James' Park will stage the opening match of the season between Newcastle and Liverpool in the Premier League, with both clubs beginning a new era. Newcastle finished 12th last season, while Liverpool came fifth and secured Champions League football.
The main question is how quickly those new ideas can translate into a proper Premier League match. Liverpool have shown plenty of attacking threat under Iraola, although they have not always looked as convincing defensively.
Newcastle vs Liverpool: date, kick-off time and match details
Information | Detail |
|---|---|
Fixture | Newcastle United vs Liverpool |
Competition | Premier League |
Round | Matchweek 1 |
Date | Sunday 23 August 2026 |
Kick-off | 16:30 BST |
Venue | St James' Park, Newcastle |
Format | 90 minutes |
UK TV | Sky Sports |
How Newcastle and Liverpool are shaping up
Newcastle United form
It has been a summer of considerable change for Newcastle. Eddie Howe left the club in July and Jaissle arrived after spells with Salzburg and Al-Ahli, so this is not simply last season's side continuing with a few minor adjustments.
Results have been inconsistent. Their last six pre-season matches produced one win, two draws and three defeats, with seven goals scored and 12 conceded. I would not read too much into individual friendly results, particularly with a managerial change midway through the summer. The positive is the venue: Newcastle are unbeaten in their last four Premier League opening fixtures.
Liverpool form
Liverpool have had the advantage of working with Iraola throughout pre-season. There have already been signs of what I expected from one of his teams: aggressive attacking movement, quick combinations and a willingness to play at a high tempo.
The Reds beat Sunderland 4-2 and Wrexham 1-0 before surrendering a two-goal lead in a 4-2 defeat to Leeds. A week later, they again went 2-0 up, this time against Monaco, but eventually lost 3-2. Their final rehearsal was much more convincing. Liverpool beat the Italian side 2-0 at Anfield, with Iraola particularly pleased by the clean sheet and improved organisation.
Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni were still listed among Liverpool's absentees.
Key factors behind my Newcastle vs Liverpool prediction
1. Liverpool look further along tactically
This is the biggest difference for me. Iraola has worked with Liverpool throughout the summer, while Jaissle only took charge of Newcastle following Howe's departure at the end of July.
2. Newcastle have been too easy to score against
I do not tend to obsess over pre-season results, but conceding 12 goals across their last six matches is enough to catch my attention.
Liverpool, meanwhile, scored 11 goals in their six friendlies and ended their preparation with two consecutive clean sheets against Como.
3. Liverpool's defence keeps the game open
There is a reason why I prefer Liverpool-related markets rather than simply assuming a comfortable away win.
Iraola's side gave up 2-0 leads against both Leeds and Monaco, conceding seven goals across those two matches. The 2-0 win over Como was a welcome improvement, but St James' Park on the opening weekend will be a much tougher test.
4. Recent head-to-head results favour Liverpool
Both Premier League meetings last season ended in Liverpool victories. They won 3-2 at St James' Park in August 2025 before coming from behind to win 4-1 at Anfield in January 2026.
Liverpool have already shown that they can find space against this Newcastle side.
5. The market still leans towards Liverpool
That looks reasonable to me. Newcastle's home advantage and the uncertainty that comes with Matchweek 1 stop me from going all-in on the away win, but Liverpool's squad quality and more settled pre-season make them the side I would rather have on my ticket.
Newcastle vs Liverpool statistics
Statistic | Newcastle | Liverpool |
|---|---|---|
2025/26 Premier League finish | 12th | 5th |
2025/26 record | 14W-7D-17L | 17W-9D-12L |
Premier League goals scored | 53 | 63 |
Premier League goals conceded | 55 | 53 |
Last six pre-season matches | 1W-2D-3L | 3W-1D-2L |
Goals scored in those six | 7 | 11 |
Goals conceded in those six | 12 | 9 |
Clean sheets in those six | 0 | 3 |
2025/26 league H2H | 0W-0D-2L | 2W-0D-0L |
Liverpool's advantage here is not enormous, but it appears in several areas. They finished seven places and 11 points above Newcastle last season, scored ten more league goals and produced stronger results in pre-season. What interests me most is the contrast between Liverpool's attacking potential and Newcastle's recent defensive problems.
Recent Newcastle vs Liverpool head-to-head
Date | Competition | Result |
|---|---|---|
31 Jan 2026 | Premier League | Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle |
25 Aug 2025 | Premier League | Newcastle 2-3 Liverpool |
Those two matches produced 10 goals, with Newcastle scoring first at Anfield in the return fixture before Liverpool responded emphatically.