It is Newcastle United v Liverpool in the opening set of fixtures for this 2026/27 Premier League season.
A 4.30pm kick-off at St James’ Park on Sunday 23 August.
It got me thinking…
What kind of team will Newcastle United have against the scousers?
Which then got me thinking about 16 March 2025.
This was the Newcastle United team v Liverpool for that Carabao Cup final.
Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton, Murphy, Barnes, Isak (and subs that were use – Wilson, Willock, Krafth)
Here is a quick rundown on that trophy winning Newcastle United team and their current situations.
Nick Pope
Newcastle United reported to be after James Trafford or Carl Rushworth to be the new number one, with Ewen Jaouen as number two. With Pope set to leave once the new number one is signed.
Kieran Trippier
Has now moved to Wolves after his Newcastle contract ended.
Fabian Schar
The Swiss central defender is now second choice behind Malick Thiaw.
Dan Burn
England’s Dan Burn is now second choice behind Sven Botman.
Tino Livramento
The injury-plagued full-back is recovering from his latest setback that ruled him out of the World Cup.
Bruno Guimaraes
Every chance our captain and talisman is leaving if Arsenal (or another club?) make a credible bid that matches United’s valuation.
Sandro Tonali
Signed for Tottenham in a £100m deal.
Joelinton
Increasingly injury prone, the Brazil international will turn 30 before the opening game of the new season.
Jacob Murphy
Became a squad player last season and claimed to be a target for Everton, looks clearly available for transfer if a club makes a credible offer.
Harvey Barnes
Heads into his fourth season with Newcastle United and will turn 29 in December.
Alexander Isak
Forced a £130m move to Liverpool on deadline day in summer 2025.
Callum Wilson
Moved to West Ham in summer 2025 when his Newcastle contract ended, now moved to Brentford after Hammers relegated.
Joe Willock
A squad player who has one year left on his Newcastle contract and will be sold if a credible offer is made.
Emil Krafth
Left Newcastle at the end of June 2026 when his contract ended.
An absolutely remarkable Newcastle United v Liverpool transformation in 16 months, which will be 17 months once we get to 23 August 2026 and the first match of the season.
It isn’t impossible that not a single one of the 14 Newcastle United players who won the Carabao Cup on 16 March 2025, will start in next month’s EPL opener.
Trippier, Tonali, Isak ,Wilson and Krafth have already left.
Pope, Murphy, Willock, Schar and Burn are no longer first choice and the first three of these five will be sold this summer if offers come in that are acceptable.
Bruno Guimaraes looks also set to leave if his NUFC valuation is met.
Which out of the 14 that played in the 2025 Carabao Cup final, that leaves us with Livramento, Joelinton and Barnes.
Tino Livramento only started 14 Premier League matches last season and Joelinton 23. The wear and tear clearly taking its toll on Big Joe, whilst Tino still recovering from his latest injury whilst with England. You hope both will be available to start against Liverpool on 23 August but wouldn’t believe with total confidence they will.
Which then leaves us with Harvey Barnes. You might be surprised to hear that he only started 19 Premier League games last season came off the bench in another 18. So not an automatic starter. Whilst many Newcastle fans will expect Harvey Barnes to now become more regular as a starter, due to the changes in personnel. Not impossible that new £43m winger Bazoumana Toure will start on the left and Eddie Howe go with pace on both flanks against Liverpool, Anthony Elanga given his chance on the right.
Maybe there will be the odd survivor from the cup triumph when this game at St James’ Park takes place but the Newcastle United team that starts against Liverpool will be unrecognisable from those who did the business at Wembley.
Indeed, there is even the possibility that none of the Newcastle United team who kicked off last season’s first home game against Liverpool will start on 23 August 2026.
The Newcastle United team that started against Liverpool on 25 August 2025 was:
Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento, Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton, Elanga, Barnes, Gordon
In 36 days time we will find out the reality.