Preview: Newcastle United vs Liverpool – prediction, team news, lineup

Matchday two of the Premier League comes to a conclusion at St. James' Park on Monday night, and the game itself needs no introduction.

In gameweek 1, the Magpies seemed to be missing their marksman as they played out to a goalless draw with Aston Villa despite Villa going down to 10 men. Meanwhile, Liverpool managed to withstand a late Bournemouth resurgence, securing a 4-2 victory in a match where their new striker notched a goal and provided an assist.

Match Preview

Newcastle

Much of the transfer window has revolved around these two clubs, which has led to the anticipation of this mouthwatering fixture. One man has been the centre of attraction for both teams, and he only plays for one of them. Alexander Isak, a man trying his possible best to swap the Tynside black and white for Merseyside red.

A recent spat and exchange of words saw Isak and Newcastle engage in a back and forth of critical statements, as Isak accused Newcastle of broken promises “The reality is that promises were made and the club has known my position for a long time. Acting as if these issues have only just emerged is misleading” Isak posted on X. Newcastle responded with a statement of their own insisting that no agreement to allow him leave the club this summer was made “We must always take into consideration the best interests of Newcastle United, the team and our supporters in all decisions and we have been clear that the conditions of sale this summer have not transpired” Newcastle posted on X.

🚨 BREAKING: Alexander Isak statement #nufc pic.twitter.com/ekF1LvCExL

— Craig Hope (@CraigHope_DM) August 19, 2025

Despite Eddie Howe sweeping the issue under the carpet in press conferences, he has full faith in his remaining players in Isak’s absence. They failed to secure a win against Aston Villa on matchday 1, even after Ezri Konsa was shown a red card.

Newcastle has now failed to score in three consecutive Premier League games, marking the first time since February 2020 that they have gone four straight matches without a goal in the English Premier League. Looking to win their first home game of the season for the fourth consecutive year under Eddie Howe, who has overseen six victories from Newcastle’s last seven matches at St James Park.

Liverpool

In Liverpool’s first game of the 2025/2026 English Premier League campaign, they didn’t look like they needed Alexander Isak and didn’t have a problem scoring goals. In a match where the Reds' defensive frailties almost cost them three points against a spirited Bournemouth side. Arne's side had to dig deep to win the match and secure all three points.

Summer signing Hugo Ekitike’s debut goal and assist, preceded by a crowd-stunning brace from Antoine Semenyo shortly after the Ghanian was reportedly racially abused by a man from the crowd, with Federico Chiesa scoring a volley and main man Mohammed Salah also getting in on the act, extinguished any comeback hopes for the cherries.

On August 15, Liverpool made up for the lapses in defence with offensive incisiveness to end a four-game winless run in the Premier League, while also setting records straight after a shock defeat to Crystal Palace in the Community Shield.

Liverpool have managed to keep only one clean sheet in their last ten competitive matches, and that was against a Leicester City side that had already been relegated. However, they have the opportunity to match a more positive record in their offensive play.

If Liverpool finds the net on Monday, they will match their all-time longest top-flight scoring streak of 36 matches, set between 2019 and 2020. Even though last year's EFL cup went the way of Newcastle, the Magpies have failed to win any of their last 17 Premier League tussles with the reigning champions.

Team news

With Isak still being ostracised from the team while he searches for a way out of Newcastle, it doesn’t seem like there is any makeup coming soon between both parties.

However, Isak may be the host's only absentee for Monday's fixture, as Joe Willock is on course to return from the calf injury he sustained in preseason and is the only fitness concern in Eddie Howe’s team at the moment.

Jacob Ramsay could be set to make his debut for Newcastle following his significant transfer from Aston Villa. However, Eddie Howe may choose to ease him into the team, which means the trio of Antony Elanga, Antony Gordon, and Harvey Barnes will have the opportunity to improve their performance up front.

Barnes is expected to take advantage of the situation on the left side, as Liverpool will be missing their new summer signing, Jeremie Frimpong, due to a hamstring injury. He is not expected to return until after the international break. Conor Bradley has recently resumed team training, while Joe Gomez's fitness is being closely monitored.

Slot in his press conference named a few emergency alternatives, which include Dominik Szoboszlai, who could start at right back thanks to the return of Ryan Gravenberch from suspension.

Salah’s opening day strike now means he’d be looking to build on a record of 10 goals and eight assists against Newcastle in the English Premier League, where he has set up a goal in six straight meetings with the Magpies.

Line up

Newcastle United's possible starting lineup:

Pope; Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento; Guimaraes, Tonali, Joelinton; Elanga, Gordon, Barnes

Liverpool's possible starting lineup:

Alisson; Szoboszlai, Konate, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Mac Allister; Salah, Writz, Gakpo; Ekitike

For Liverpool, the battle is about keeping pace at the top, while for Newcastle it's about proving they belong in that conversation. Standing out among all is Alexander Isak, a striker whose future remains uncertain and many questions unanswered. This might not just be the last battle of both sides, as they would look to battle it out till the end of the transfer window.