· 24 August 2025, 12:30
**Newcastle United face Liverpool at St James' Park on Monday night, live on Sky Sports - Kick-off is 8 pm.**
You couldn't have written this any better, having Liverpool be the first visitors to St James' Park this season, given all of the off-field drama surrounding Alexander Isak.
The atmosphere promises to be something special on Monday in what already feels like a grudge match.
Newcastle are still without a focal point up front, but there's still goals in the side. We expect Eddie Howe to keep things the same as the side that faced Aston Villa last week, as there were no real issues with the team other than the lack of goals.
As you were for week 2
### Goalkeeper
**Nick Pope** - A clean sheet last week should be a confidence booster for Pope, who now has Aaron Ramsdale snapping at his heels.
### Defenders
**Kieran Trippier** - Tripps has been reborn lately. He will eventually lose his place as Tino Livramento returns to RB when Lewis Hall is fully fit again.
**Fabian Schar** - TNT Sports' man of the match last week, Fabi played some outstanding long passes against Villa.
**Dan Burn** - Pretty much everybody else's Man of the Match last week. Burn ran away with the poll on NUFC Feed for MotM and will keep Sven Botman out of the side again this week.
**Tino Livramento** - Has taken to life at LB like a duck to water, but will move aside when his bestie returns to action full-time.
How will Newcastle fare against Liverpool?
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### Midfielders
**Bruno Guimaraes (c)** \- Bruno had a solid display last week without being truly outstanding. Made a statement in midweek after Alexander Isak spoke out, and could be fired up for this one.
**Sandro Tonali** - Tonali picked up where he left off last season, dictating the play through the midfield. A true workhorse.
**Joelinton** - A red card almost feels inevitable on Monday. Everyone just has images of J7 going through Liverpool's entire team looking to cause damage.
### Forwards
**Anthony Elanga** - A solid debut last week, but really should have scored early doors. He did fade as the game went on, however.
**Anthony Gordon** - Absolutely not a centre-forward. Hate seeing him playing here. What else can we do, though?
**Harvey Barnes** - Probably our biggest goal threat. Let's hope he gets to see plenty of the ball, especially as Liverpool will not have a right-back with Jeremie Frimpong being injured.
Jacob Ramsey and Malick Thiaw will be on the bench, itching to make their debuts under the lights at St James' Park. We expect Ramsey will get on at some point, hopefully before Joelinton picks up a second yellow card.
Indeed, Eddie Howe may be anticipating this and could start Ramsey over Joelinton for safety.
HOWAY EDDIE HOWE'S DON'T TAP OUR PLAYERS OR WE'LL SET JOELINTON ONTO YOU MAGS!