Newcastle vs Liverpool: Isak's Return Sparks Opening Day Drama

St James' Park gets its first jolt of the new Premier League season on Sunday – and it comes with a grudge baked in.

Newcastle against Liverpool is always loud. This time, it’s personal.

Both clubs arrive under new managers and stripped of some of their biggest names. Both are trying to convince their own fans, and the rest of the league, that last season’s slide was a blip rather than a trend.

Kick-off is 4.30pm on Sunday, August 23, live on Sky Sports, as Super Sunday leans straight into the drama.

New faces in the dugout, big names out the door

The reset button has been smashed at both clubs.

Newcastle turned to Matthias Jaissle after Eddie Howe’s departure, a decision made off the back of a flat 12th-place finish last season. The fallout has been harsh. Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon – captain, marquee midfielder, and star winger – have all gone in the same summer.

Liverpool’s rebuild has been no gentler. A fifth-place finish, 25 points adrift of champions Arsenal, ended their title defence with a whimper. Arne Slot was sacked, Andoni Iraola is in. And he starts without three pillars of the modern Liverpool era: Mohamed Salah, Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate have all left on free transfers.

Both clubs are lighter on star power. Neither can afford a slow start.

The Isak subplot: from Tyneside hero to Anfield villain

Alexander Isak’s return is the raw nerve running through this fixture.

A year ago, the Swedish forward detonated his relationship with Newcastle, publicly insisting it “cannot continue” amid claims of broken promises and a lack of trust. The fallout ended with a £130m move to Liverpool and a summer of fury on Tyneside.

He now walks back into St James’ Park wearing red.

The obvious question is whether he scores. The sharper one is how Newcastle treat him. Sky Sports’ Lewis Jones has zero doubt about the atmosphere around every Isak touch: the volume will spike, the tackles will bite, and the crowd will roar at any contact.

Sky Bet’s “to be fouled” market has become the angle. Isak’s historical fouls-won numbers are low, which is why the prices look generous: 10/11 for him to be fouled once or more, 4/1 for twice or more. Those odds, as Jones points out, are built on his usual profile, not on a baying St James’ Park turning every duel into a flashpoint.

Isak will have a target on his back. One firm challenge, one clattering tackle, and the place will explode. There is a simple way for any Newcastle player to plug straight into that energy: put their former striker on the turf.

Jones’ verdict? SCORE PREDICTION: 2-2 BEST BET: Alexander Isak to be fouled 1+ times (10/11 with Sky Bet) and 2+ times (4/1 with Sky Bet).

Last season’s meetings: Liverpool’s edge

The recent history between these two sides leans Liverpool’s way.

Last season, they came to St James’ Park and pinched a 3-2 win in a chaotic contest. At Anfield, they were ruthless, running out 4-1 winners. Those results fed into Newcastle’s slide down the table and Liverpool’s ultimately unsuccessful chase of Arsenal.

Jaissle and Iraola inherit that backdrop. The scorelines are fresh in the memory. So is the feeling that Newcastle owe Liverpool one.

How to watch: all eyes on St James’ Park

For those staying glued to the screen rather than the stands, the broadcast is wall-to-wall.

• TV: Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League from 4pm for Sky customers.
• App: Sky Sports app streaming for Sky subscribers.
• Stream: Non-Sky viewers can pick up a NOW Day or Month membership to watch live.
• Online: A dedicated live blog will carry minute-by-minute coverage for those on the move.
• Highlights: Free Premier League highlights will be available shortly after full-time.

Sky Sports subscribers can simply open or download the Sky Sports app, head to the ‘Watch’ section from 4pm, tap on the Sky Sports Premier League channel and sign in with their Sky iD.

NOW, Sky’s contract-free streaming service, offers access to all 12 Sky Sports channels and every Sky Sports+ stream via app across more than 60 devices, with Day and Month memberships available.

Team news: debut doors wide open

Newcastle’s squad for the opener already looks stretched and fresh at the same time.

Joelinton and Tino Livramento are both ruled out, stripping Jaissle of energy in midfield and thrust from full-back. That opens the door for new faces: Lukas Hornicek, Amar Dedic, Sean Steur, Aladji Bamba and Bazoumana Toure are all in line to make their Premier League debuts.

Liverpool’s reshaped back line is under the microscope. New signings Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jaquet are jostling to partner Virgil van Dijk at centre-back after both featured against Como in pre-season. Victor Munoz could also make his league debut in a side already reshaped by the exits of Salah, Robertson and Konate.

Newcastle want revenge. Liverpool want proof that their overhaul still carries bite. And in the middle of it all, Alexander Isak walks back into the noise, waiting to see whether St James’ Park remembers him for the goals he scored – or the way he left.