Liverpool's Premier League Season Opener at St. James' Park
Liverpool’s Premier League season starts on Sunday with a fixture loaded with history, tension and a very modern edge of bitterness.
They head to St. James’ Park to face Newcastle, just as the division has already been reminded what a champion looks like. Arsenal opened the 2026/27 campaign by brushing aside Coventry 3-0 at the Emirates, the holders easing past the newly promoted side through goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard. The bar has been set early.
Now it is Liverpool’s turn to answer.
An emotional return to St. James’ Park
Sunday on Tyneside will not feel like a standard curtain-raiser. The day will be framed by tributes to the late Kevin Keegan, a legend woven into the fabric of both clubs. St. James’ Park will mourn and celebrate one of its defining figures, while Liverpool supporters salute a man who lit up Anfield too.
Inside that charged atmosphere walks Alexander Isak.
The Sweden international is back at Newcastle for the first time since his acrimonious exit last summer, when he forced through a British record move to Liverpool worth $170 million (£125m). He left Tyneside under a cloud. He returns as the focal point of Liverpool’s attack.
Isak did not feature in Liverpool’s dramatic 3-2 win at St. James’ Park last August, having refused to play as the transfer saga came to a head. He was also absent from the 4-1 Liverpool victory over Newcastle in January, sidelined then with a broken leg.
There will be no hiding place this time. With Hugo Ekitike out after tearing his Achilles tendon last season, Isak will lead the line on Sunday. The reception from the home crowd will be icy. The stage, perfect.
Iraola’s first big call at the back
Behind Isak, Andoni Iraola’s first Premier League team sheet as Liverpool manager will be scrutinised, especially in defence.
Alisson is set to take his usual place in goal. In front of him, Liverpool are expected to go with a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez.
The big question is at centre back. Ronald Araujo has arrived on loan from Barcelona and offers elite pedigree alongside Van Dijk. It would be a bold move to throw him straight into a fixture of this intensity.
Yet Liverpool did not spend $74 million (£55m) on Jacquet to park him on the bench. The 21-year-old has already impressed, standing out on his debut against Como in pre-season. His performance there strengthened the argument that he is ready to start meaningful games now, not later.
Iraola must decide between the proven international in Araujo and the expensive, fast-rising Jacquet. All signs suggest the club see the Frenchman as a starter. Sunday could confirm it.
Midfield balance and a familiar late hero
In midfield, Iraola is expected to trust Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai as the double pivot. Alexis Mac Allister, the heartbeat of Argentina’s World Cup-winning summer, is still working his way back towards full fitness after those exertions and is not yet ready to anchor the side.
Ahead of them, Liverpool have the makings of a fluid, dangerous attacking line behind Isak. Rio Ngumoha is likely to operate from the right, Cody Gakpo from the left and Florian Wirtz in the central attacking role.
For Ngumoha, this ground carries a special memory. Almost a year ago to the day, he stunned St. James’ Park with a stoppage-time winner, sealing that 3-2 comeback victory for Liverpool on Tyneside. It was the moment he truly announced himself.
He now returns not as a surprise weapon, but as a key part of Iraola’s attacking plan.
Arsenal have already flexed their muscles. Liverpool walk into an emotional cauldron, with a record signing under fire, a rebuilt defence under scrutiny and a young winger revisiting the scene of his first great act. The new season does not ease anyone in.
