Liverpool's Premier League Opener at St. James' Park
Liverpool’s new Premier League season starts on Sunday with a trip loaded with history, hostility and a £125 million sub-plot.
Arsenal have already laid down the first marker of 2026/27, swatting aside Coventry 3-0 at the Emirates. Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard got the goals, the champions looking exactly that as they eased past the newly promoted side.
Now it is Liverpool’s turn to step into the light, and they do it at St. James’ Park, in a fixture that will be about far more than three points.
An emotional stage at St. James’ Park
Newcastle’s first home game comes with planned tributes to the late Kevin Keegan, a figure who belongs to both clubs’ folklore. The atmosphere will be charged before a ball is even kicked.
Then there is Alexander Isak.
The Sweden international returns to Tyneside for the first time since his bitter exit last summer, when he forced through a British record move to Liverpool worth $170 million (£125m). He never faced Newcastle last season: he missed Liverpool’s 3-2 win there in August while on strike as the transfer saga raged, and sat out the 4-1 Anfield victory in January with a broken leg.
On Sunday, there is no hiding place. With Hugo Ekitike still out after tearing his Achilles tendon last season, Isak will lead the line for Liverpool in front of a crowd that once adored him and now will not hesitate to turn on him. The reception will be cold; the spotlight, white hot.
Iraola’s defensive call
Behind Isak, Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League lineup as Liverpool manager is starting to take shape.
Alisson is set to start in goal, with a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez expected to protect him. The one major decision comes at centre-back.
Ronald Araujo has arrived on loan from Barcelona and offers elite pedigree next to Van Dijk. But Liverpool spent $74 million (£55m) on Jacquet, a clear indication they see the 21-year-old as a starter, not a project to be eased in from the bench.
Jacquet strengthened that case with an impressive debut against Como recently. On form, fee and future planning, he has every chance of keeping Araujo out and lining up alongside Van Dijk on Sunday.
Midfield balance and attacking flair
In midfield, Iraola is expected to go with Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai as the double pivot. Alexis Mac Allister, after a demanding summer with Argentina at the World Cup, is still some way short of full fitness and is unlikely to start.
Ahead of them, Liverpool’s attacking structure looks bold. A trio of Rio Ngumoha on the right, Cody Gakpo on the left and Florian Wirtz in the No. 10 role is likely to operate behind Isak, offering pace, creativity and goals from all angles.
For Ngumoha, St. James’ Park carries its own memories. Almost a year ago to the day, he struck a dramatic injury-time winner here as Liverpool came from behind to snatch a 3-2 victory on Tyneside. That moment announced him; this one tests how far he has come.
Isak’s return, Keegan’s tributes, Iraola’s first Premier League selection and a hostile St. James’ Park under the lights: Liverpool are not just opening a season. They are walking straight into a story.
