Newcastle v Liverpool: New Eras Collide at St James’ Park
St James’ Park stages the final act of Sunday’s Premier League programme, and it comes with a twist in both dugouts. Newcastle United v Liverpool, 4.30pm BST, two new managers, two rebuilt line-ups, and a meeting that already feels like a marker for the season ahead.
Liverpool lean on familiar core, new faces in key roles
No shocks from Liverpool’s starting XI, but there is a very different feel to it.
Virgil van Dijk anchors the back line as ever, but alongside him is Jeremy Jacquet, trusted from the off in one of the most demanding away grounds in the league. Jeremie Frimpong starts at right-back, Milos Kerkez on the left, giving Liverpool pace and aggression on both flanks.
Dominik Szoboszlai takes up his place in central midfield, with Ryan Gravenberch also in the engine room. Rio Ngumoha starts off the right, a bold call in a high-profile fixture, while Florian Wirtz operates between the lines. Cody Gakpo supports Alexander Isak, who returns to St James’ Park in Liverpool colours to lead the line against his former club.
The bench underlines the visitors’ depth: Mamardashvili, Endo, Mac Allister, Tsimikas, Munoz, Araujo, Nyoni, McConnell and Koumas all wait in reserve if the new manager needs to change the tempo.
Liverpool XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak
Subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Mac Allister, Tsimikas, Munoz, Araujo, Nyoni, McConnell, Koumas
Newcastle roll out new recruits in front of home crowd
Newcastle answer with a fresh look of their own.
Amar Dedic makes his debut at right-back, thrown straight into a test against Liverpool’s attacking width. Lukas Hornicek starts in goal, another new arrival handed responsibility in front of a demanding home crowd. Sean Steur also comes into the XI, adding to a spine that blends youth and physicality.
At the back, Dedic is joined by Malick Thiaw, Sven Botman and Lewis Hall. Lewis Miley features in midfield alongside Steur, while Anthony Elanga and Harvey Barnes offer threat from wide areas.
Yoane Wissa is expected to operate as a No 10, drifting into pockets behind Will Osula, who leads the line. It’s a front four with mobility, designed to stretch a Liverpool defence still bedding in a new partnership.
Newcastle United XI: Hornicek, Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall, Miley, Steur, Elanga, Wissa, Barnes, Osula
Subs: Jaouen, Schar, Bamba, Toure, Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, Ramsey, Shahar
Two new managers. New systems. Old rivalry. By late afternoon, we’ll know which project lands its first real statement at St James’ Park.
