Nottingham Forest v Newcastle United - Premier League
NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND - MAY 10: Newcastle United’s Harvey Barnes celebrates scoring his side’s first goal with team mates Sven Botman , Malick Thiaw , Joelinton and Dan Burn during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Newcastle United at City Ground on May 10, 2026 in Nottingham, United Kingdom. (Photo by Andrew Kearns - CameraSport via Getty Images)
Newcastle United will begin a new era under Matthias Jaissle on Sunday, when Liverpool visits St James’ Park for the Magpies’ Premier League opener.
Jaissle has already acknowledged the challenges facing his squad after a summer of significant departures and changes, and Newcastle will also enter the new campaign without at least two first-team players because of injuries.
According to The Shields Gazette’s Jordan Cronin, Joelinton and Tino Livramento are expected to miss Sunday’s game, while Joe Willock is considered doubtful after suffering an apparent injury during Newcastle’s final preseason friendly — assuming he’s not sold to Besiktas before matchday one.
Joelinton returned to action against Valencia and Everton following the muscle injury that ended his 2025-26 season, but the Brazilian subsequently suffered another problem. Cronin lists Newcastle’s Sept. 14 trip to Leeds United as Joelinton’s expected return date.
“Now with Joelinton, a player who’s unfortunately injured, so he will be missing a couple of weeks as it looks right now,” Jaissle 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,” Jaissle said.
Livramento, meanwhile, has not appeared at all during preseason after suffering a calf injury that forced him to withdraw from England’s World Cup squad. The right back is reportedly approaching a return, but Sunday will arrive too soon for him, with Newcastle’s Aug. 29 trip to Tottenham currently listed as his potential comeback by Cronin.
Finally, Willock represents the less certain case. The midfielder was forced off late during Newcastle’s preseason finale against Strasbourg, with Cronin reporting that the precise nature of the injury has yet to be confirmed, although a groin problem has been suggested and there’s no real timeline for his comeback.
On Liverpool’s side, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez will definitely miss Sunday’s game, while several others remain doubtful to face Newcastle on the road.
Who would you start against Liverpool with Joelinton and Livramento unavailable? Share your lineup in the comment section below!
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