Newcastle vs Liverpool: New Managers Clash at St James' Park

St James’ Park closes out Sunday’s Premier League programme with a fixture that rarely disappoints. Newcastle United against Liverpool, 4.30pm BST, two new managers, one very loud test of where both projects stand.

This is not a day for gentle introductions.

Team news: bold calls, big returns

Liverpool arrive without any surprises in their starting XI, but there is still a statement in the selection. Jeremy Jacquet is trusted alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, a clear sign that the visitors are ready to lean on the youngster in one of the league’s most unforgiving arenas.

Ahead of them, Dominik Szoboszlai anchors the midfield rhythm from the centre, while Rio Ngumoha is handed the right-sided role in attack. The headline, though, is up front: Alexander Isak starts and makes his St James’ Park return, this time in Liverpool red, in a twist that will not go unnoticed in the stands.

Newcastle answer with a fresh look of their own. Amar Dedic makes his debut at right-back, immediately thrown into a duel with Liverpool’s fluid front line. Behind him, new goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek starts, with Sean Steur also coming straight into the XI in midfield.

Higher up the pitch, Yoane Wissa is expected to operate as the No 10, drifting between the lines and linking play, while Will Osula leads the line as the central striker. It is a front unit built for energy and direct running, exactly the kind of approach that can turn this stadium into a storm.

The line-ups in full

Newcastle United XI: Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Miley, Steur; Elanga, Wissa, Barnes; Osula

Subs: Jaouen, Schar, Bamba, Toure, Murphy, Woltemade, Willock, Ramsey, Shahar

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak

Subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Mac Allister, Tsimikas, Munoz, Araujo, Nyoni, McConnell, Koumas

Two benches stacked with options, two starting XIs laced with new faces, and a stadium that rarely sits quietly.

The last game of the weekend suddenly feels like one of the first real markers of the season.