Liverpool and Newcastle United are set to face off at St. James’ Park in their opening Premier League game of the season, but there will be a number of absentees.
The two iconic clubs faced off at the start of last season as well, with Rio Ngumoha scoring the winner off the bench as a 16-year-old. He is now likely to start the game in the role Mohamed Salah occupied, showcasing how fast things can change.
For Newcastle United, however, they will have to do without defensive leader Dan Burns.
Sky Sports journalist Keith Downie reports on X: “Newcastle captain Dan Burn is set to miss the next few weeks with an ankle injury suffered in training.”
?? Newcastle captain Dan Burn is set to miss the next few weeks with an ankle injury suffered in training #NUFC pic.twitter.com/5o5VrZQKcg
— Keith Downie (@SkySports_Keith) August 23, 2026
Liverpool will be pleased to hear they won’t have to go through Burns to reach the Newcastle goal, but it’s tragic from a Tyneside perspective. Their fans are going through a lot right now, with their top players being sold, Eddie Howe leaving and now several injuries.
Newcastle United injury situation
Joelinton will miss the game too with a groin injury sustained during pre-season, and he will also be out for a few weeks.
Toni Livramento has a calf injury and missed most of pre-season, while Joe Willock is a doubt after a suspected groin injury suffered in their final pre-season friendly made him a doubt for the Premier League opener.
Lewis Miley is a long-term injury concern after his broken leg in May.
Liverpool’s likely starting XI to face Newcastle:
Liverpool have a number of injuries too, including Hugo Ekitike, Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni. Ekitike and Bradley are long-term concerns while Gomez and Leoni will hopefully be back sooner rather than later.
Andoni Iraola will be able to name a fine starting lineup; however, it’s fair to say Newcastle United will be suffering a lot more in terms of missing talent from transfers and injuries.
XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Jacquet, van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak, Ngumoha
Subs: Mamardashvili, Araujo, Endo, Nyoni, Mac Allister, Munoz
My prediction is a Liverpool win, given the injury issues for the Magpies, but they are also always a very challenging team for the Reds, so it might be closer than expected.
Prediction: Newcastle 1-2 Liverpool