Looking ahead to this Newcastle United team v Liverpool.
That match now only 12 days away.
United kicking off their 2026/27 Premier League season against the scousers at 4.30pm on Sunday 23 August.
A new manager in place, Matthias Jaissle replacing Eddie Howe.
A significant turnover of players, in and out.
With more signings expected in the last three weeks of the transfer window, plus the odd further departure as well.
There are three friendlies still to go but I have been assessing what we have now as things stand.
This currently looks to me the most likely Newcastle United team v Liverpool to kick off the season:
Lukáš Horníček
Leo Shahar
Malick Thiaw
Sven Botman
Lewis Hall
Aladji Bamba
Jacob Ramsey
Joelinton
Anthony Elanga
Harvey Barnes
Yoane Wissa
If this how you see the Newcastle United team v Liverpool lining up?
It would be asking a lot for anybody to be signed at this late stage and go straight into the team for that match. Not impossible but unlikely.
So looking at the squad as it stands, what are the options?
I think Hornicek definitely starts, with Thiaw and Botman in front of him. Lewis Hall starts for sure as well assuming he is fit, Tino Livramento though reported to be missing this Liverpool match as he recovers from injury. It sounds touch and go whether Lewis Miley will be available, he was excellent as an emergency right-back last season. Unless the new manager decided to play with three defenders and wing-backs, it would appear to be teenager Leo Shahar set for his first ever start in a competitive first team match.
Up front it was great to see Yoane Wissa score twice against Valencia and look sharp, I think it is between him and Will Osula for the main striker role. The Nick Woltemade question still remains, if he isn’t playing as the main striker, can he be accommodated in a more withdrawn role? Against a mobile high workrate side like Liverpool, Newcastle United will need to match that and have the legs on the pitch to do so, which makes me think Big Nick will be on the bench unless the remaining friendlies convince otherwise.
Harvey Barnes looks set to start and I think Anthony Elanga as well, just so long as he is fully recovered from that horrific red card challenge over in Valencia. Bazoumana Toure will also be keen to be in the starting eleven ASAP.
Midfield is probably the toughest to call.
I have gone for Ramsey and Joelinton to give some experience and legs/physicality. Aladji Bamba is my predicted new boy to start in the midfield and he can add extra physical presence despite aged 20. Lewis Miley would be another possibility if fit. The really interesting one is Sean Steur, he has looked very impressive in pre-season but at the age of 18 is it asking too much to throw him into the team for such a tough opening match?