File photo dated 25-10-2022 of Matthias Jaissle, who is the shock favourite to succeed Eddie Howe as Newcastle head coach. Issue date: Thursday July 30, 2026.
File photo dated 25-10-2022 of Matthias Jaissle, who is the shock favourite to succeed Eddie Howe as Newcastle head coach. Issue date: Thursday July 30, 2026.
Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle has admitted his side “cannot be at their peak” when they host Liverpool in their Premier League opener on August 23.
Liverpool head to St James’ Park for the opening weekend on the Premier League in their first of six consecutive games against new managers.
Jaissle is the most recent appointment, having arrived as replacement for Eddie Howe on August 5, giving the German little time to prepare for the new campaign.
Not only has there been a change in the dugout but also a major turnover of players, with captain Bruno Guimaraes leaving along with Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Kieran Trippier among others.
Speaking after his second friendly in charge ended in a 3-1 loss to Everton on Wednesday, Jaissle admitted there was not enough time to have everything in place before the visit of Liverpool.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 31, 2026: Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, January 31, 2026: Newcastle United's Nick Woltemade during the FA Premier League match between Liverpool FC and Newcastle United FC at Anfield. Liverpool won 4-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
“For sure, we cannot be at our peak [against Liverpool], this is clear,” he told reporters including the Northern Echo‘s Scott Wilson.
“We have just been working for a couple of days together, and Liverpool is already next week now.
“We use every day in the best possible way, that’s the only thing we can control to make progress.
“Then, it will be the same with the transfer market. Hopefully, there will be progress there too.”
Bazoumana Toure of Ivory Coast celebrate during a 2025 AFCON (Credit Image: © Ulrik Pedersen/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Bazoumana Toure of Ivory Coast celebrate during a 2025 AFCON (Credit Image: © Ulrik Pedersen/Cal Sport Media/Sipa USA) Credit: Sipa US/Alamy Live News
Newcastle have already completed five signings in Bazoumana Toure, Sean Steur, Aladji Bamba, Lukas Hornicek and Ewen Jaouen, but two of those are goalkeepers and none have previous Premier League experience.
Hornicek, who replaces Nick Pope as first-choice goalkeeper, is the only one of those five players over the age of 20.
Fabian Schar, Tino Livramento and Lewis Miley are yet to train after injury and will be considered doubts to face Liverpool, while Dan Burn could be rushed back despite not being involved in pre-season so far.
“I think everybody has seen the matches and are smart enough to see the needs in the squad,” Jaissle continued.
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - Wednesday, July 27, 2022: RB Salzburg's head coach Matthias Jaissle reacts during a pre-season friendly between FC Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool FC at the Red Bull Arena. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
SALZBURG, AUSTRIA - Wednesday, July 27, 2022: RB Salzburg's head coach Matthias Jaissle reacts during a pre-season friendly between FC Red Bull Salzburg and Liverpool FC at the Red Bull Arena. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Newcastle XI vs. Everton: Hornicek; Shahar, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Bamba, Joelinton; Elanga, Osula, Toure; Wissa
“I will always be consistent with my approach – we handle these things internally.
“We are aware of what we need, and as you know, there is still some time.
“It is not a case of just wishing for things to happen and then they happen – that is not the case in football or in life. But internally, we are really clear.”
Football – U18 Premier League – Liverpool FC Under-18’s v Everton FC Under-18’s
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, February 7, 2026: Liverpool's Lucas Clarke during the U18 Premier League match between Liverpool FC Under-18's and Everton FC Under-18's, the Mini-Mini Merseyside Derby, at Finch Farm. Everton won 2-1. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – Pre-Season Friendly – Liverpool FC v AS Monaco
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Monaco's Lamine Camara during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. Monaco won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
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