Newcastle United's Challenges Ahead of Liverpool Clash

A new manager, a sold‑out St James’ Park and Liverpool in town. Newcastle United’s new era under Matthias Jaissle begins under the floodlights – and under strain.

The German coach has spent the summer talking openly about transition and turbulence after a window of major departures and reshaping. Now the reality bites. His first Premier League teamsheet will be without at least two senior options, with a third a major doubt, before he’s even kicked a ball in anger.

Jaissle’s first big problem

Joelinton will not be there to set the tone in midfield. Tino Livramento will not be there to drive from right-back. Joe Willock may not be there at all – either through injury or a move away.

According to The Shields Gazette’s Jordan Cronin, Joelinton and Livramento are both expected to miss Sunday’s opener against Liverpool, while Willock is rated doubtful after limping out of Newcastle’s final preseason friendly against Strasbourg.

Joelinton’s situation will sting. The Brazilian had just fought his way back from the muscle injury that cut short his 2025-26 campaign, returning to feature against Valencia and Everton in preseason. Then another setback. Cronin reports that Newcastle’s trip to Leeds United on September 14 is the target for his return.

Jaissle did not sugar-coat it.

“Now with Joelinton, a player who's unfortunately injured, so he will be missing a couple of weeks as it looks right now,” the head coach said. “This is something we need to solve as soon as possible. Well, he will miss for sure the first weeks, but all details will be followed.”

No ambiguity there. One of Newcastle’s most influential figures in and out of possession is out of the picture for the start of the campaign.

Livramento still waiting, Willock in limbo

On the other flank of the squad, Livramento’s frustration continues. He has not played a minute of preseason after the calf injury that forced him out of England’s World Cup squad. The defender is edging closer to fitness, but not quickly enough for Liverpool.

Cronin lists Newcastle’s trip to Tottenham on August 29 as the current target for Livramento’s comeback. For now, Jaissle must look elsewhere at right-back in one of the toughest assignments English football offers.

Willock’s case is murkier. The midfielder was forced off late in the Strasbourg friendly, with the exact nature of the issue still to be confirmed. A groin problem has been suggested, but there is no clear timeline for his return. On top of that, his future is under a cloud, with Besiktas circling and a possible move before matchday one still on the table.

So Jaissle goes into his first league game juggling both absences and uncertainty in the heart of his midfield.

Liverpool’s own absentees

Liverpool do not arrive at St James’ Park at full strength either. Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez have all been ruled out of Sunday’s clash, while several others remain doubtful for the trip north.

Both squads, then, walk into this opener patched up, still forming, still feeling their way into the season. The difference? For Newcastle, this is also a statement about what the Jaissle era might look like under pressure.

How bold can he be, stripped of Joelinton’s muscle, Livramento’s thrust and possibly Willock’s running power, against a Liverpool side that punishes hesitation?

We’re about to find out.