The team sheets are in at St James’ Park, where Newcastle United take on Liverpool in tonight’s 8pm kick-off.
Our opening home games of the 2025/26 season, which started with a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa, and the first time Eddie Howe and Arne Slot have met since our 2-1 win over Liverpool in March’s Carabao Cup final at Wembly.
Here are the sides selected as we edge closer to kick-off:
Confirmed line-ups
Newcastle XI: (4-3-3) Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento – Tonali, Guimaraes, Joelinton – Elanga, Gordon, Barnes
Subs: Ramsdale, Hall, Botman, Thiaw, Osula, J.Murphy, Ramsey, Willock, Osula, Miley
Liverpool XI: (4-3-3) Alisson – Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez – Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz – Salah, Ekitike, Gakpo
Subs: Mamardashvili, Gomez, Endo, Bradley, Chiesa, Leoni, Elliot, Robertson, Ngumoha
It’s an unchanged XI from the gaffer, as we chase our first league win over Liverpool since December 2015.
Joe Willock is back on the bench after recovering from injury, while Jacob Ramsey is in the squad for the first time after training with his new teammates all week.
Of course there’s no Alexander Isak in the squad, as Howe confirmed on Friday he will be absent. Will Osula remains the sole striker option on the bench.
And hopefully we get to see the first Premier League minutes of the campaign from Lewis Hall this evening, as he will be looking to bounce back from the season-ending injury he suffered at Anfield last Friday.
In terms of the Liverpool XI, Dominik Szoboszlai is stepping in for the injured Jeremie Frimpong, with an interesting battle against Harvey Barnes ahead of him this evening.
Alexis Mac Allister is a notable absentee, as he is set to become a Father, meaning Ryan Gravenberch returns to defensive midfield in his place.
The much-hyped Rio Ngumoha makes the Liverpool bench once again, with him and Federico Chiesa two dangerous options for Arne Slot to call upon late in the game.
It’ll be a tough game against the defending champions, St James’ Park needs to be electric from minute one. Howay the lads!
5 nil to Liverpool tonight lads? What do you think?
Smolclub(Quote)
Gordon started but he didn’t finish
WhatatackleGordon(Quote)
Maybe on the low end now. I almost feel bad, they really need Isak don’t they?
Wheresyourstarplayer(Quote)
It just gets better
Ekitike(Quote)
Well, well, well…don’t you look like a bunch of bell ends?
Wellwellwell(Quote)
Aged like milk
Awinsawin(Quote)
Barring a blatant penalty not given for Gakpo’s repeated pulling of Schar’s shirt, not to mention Gravenberch’s early potential Red Card the result would’ve turned out quite different. And 7-8 min added on for the injuries etc yes, but 11? When it’s 10 vs 11 you’re just saying we want the team with the man advantage to benefit as the team with 10 get more tired. Credit to our team for playing like it was Liverpool down to 10 but getting robbed against this lot’s expected every time. Scouse supporters also showing their true ‘class’ all over the internet tonight.
P(Quote)
lmao at the plastic roys
also good to see the smb’s out in force how was Burnley
Not the Hiding you were predicting in fact you got lucky against 10 men i would be worried about that defence if i was you won’t win the title with that defence.
As for us we’ll be fine sign wilson replacement and then Isak grovels back cos he won’t be going to your lot
Absolutely glorious(Quote)
they’re just Roys mate plastic as ****, not one of them has been to Liverpool never mind Stanley park area.
It’s hilarious how obsessed they’ve become with us like we’re a bin or something 🙂
Absolutely glorious(Quote)