Liverpool Meeting With Newcastle Overshadowed by Transfer Talk | OneFootball

Newcastle United vs Liverpool – Premier League Preview

Date: Monday, 25th August 2025

Venue: St James’ Park

Kick-off: 20:00 BST

Liverpool’s title defence continues with perhaps the most fascinating fixture of the early season, a Monday night clash under the St James’ Park lights. After an opening 4–2 draw against Bournemouth that showcased the attacking firepower and defensive vulnerability of Arne Slot’s new-look side, the champions face a sterner test against a Newcastle team looking to stake its claim as a top-four contender.

The match carries added intrigue due to the unresolved Alexander Isak saga. The Swedish striker, named in the PFA Team of the Year and Liverpool’s No.1 transfer target, is now refusing to train or play for the Magpies as he pushes for a £130m move to Anfield. His absence could cast a shadow over Newcastle’s preparations while adding another layer of tension to what is already an emotionally charged fixture.

Newcastle Availability

Eddie Howe enters the match under mild pressure, juggling a poor transfer window of transfers and the Isak drama. Anthony Gordon is expected to continue up front, while Harvey Barnes and Anthony Elanga will provide width in attack. In midfield, Bruno Guimarães and Sandro Tonali remain the creative heartbeat, as Joelinton provides the disruptive muscle. Newcastle’s defensive solidity will depend heavily on Sven Botman and Fabian Schär dealing with Liverpool’s fluid frontline. Joe Willow is the only injury doubt as Alexander Isak remains unavailable for selection. Game week one saw the League Cup champions draw 0-0 away to Aston Villa.

Predicted Newcastle Lineup (4-3-3):

GK: Nick Pope

RB: Tino Livramento

RCB: Fabian Schär

LCB: Sven Botman

LB: Dan Burn

CM: Sandro Tonali

CM: Bruno Guimarães (c)

CM: Joelinton

RW: Anthony Elanga

CF: Callum Wilson

LW: Anthony Gordon

Liverpool Availability

Arne Slot is likely to stick with his 4-2-3-1 system, though defensive adjustments are expected after conceding twice to Bournemouth and the loss to injury of Jeremie Frimpong. Virgil van Dijk will anchor the back line, while Florian Wirtz looks to build on an encouraging debut. Hugo Ekitike will retain his place up front, but with Federico Chiesa and Ryan Gravenberch pushing for inclusion, there is scope for rotation. Mohamed Salah remains the undisputed danger man, with Milos Kerkez continuing to provide attacking thrust from the flank as Joe Gomez likely comes in at right back.

Predicted Liverpool Lineup (4-2-3-1):

GK: Alisson Becker

RB: Joe Gomez

RCB: Ibrahima Konaté

LCB: Virgil van Dijk (c)

LB: Milos Kerkez

CM: Alexis Mac Allister

CM: Ryan Gravenberch

ACM: Dominic Szoboszlai

RW: Mohamed Salah

CF: Hugo Ekitike

LW: Florian Wirtz

How Will This Contest Play Out?

Newcastle will look to harness the energy of a St James’ Park crowd that thrives on nights like this, pressing high and breaking quickly through Gordon and Elanga. The host’s physicality offers a bullish strategy, but without Isak’s movement and link play, their attacking threat is blunted.

For Liverpool, the key will be control. Slot’s men cannot afford the defensive lapses seen against Bournemouth, and much rests on Mac Allister, Gravenberch, and Szoboszlai’s ability to protect the back four while feeding Wirtz between the lines. If Salah can isolate his fullback and Wirtz pushes his own marker back, the Reds may find joy down the flanks to release Ekitike through the middle.

The contest is finely poised: Newcastle with pride to protect, Liverpool with a statement to make, and the looming Isak transfer shaping every narrative.

Player to Watch: Hugo Ekitike

The France attacker showed flashes of brilliance on a goal-scoring debut and now faces a sterner examination. If he can dictate the front line tempo under pressure, Liverpool’s attack could flourish in the hostile Tyneside atmosphere.

Steven Smith’s Score Prediction:

Newcastle 1 – 2 Liverpool