It has been a tumultuous summer at Newcastle after the exit of their manager and key players, but how optimistic are they heading into the clash with Liverpool?
The waiting is almost over, with the Reds and the Magpies opening their Premier League account at St James’ Park.
Newcastle not only lost Eddie Howe as manager – Matthias Jaissle has replaced him – but Kieran Trippier, Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon have all departed.
Ahead of the 2026/27 curtain-raiser, we spoke to Newcastle fan and writer Dave Black to get the lowdown on all things Magpies, and his predictions for the season ahead.
What are your thoughts on Eddie Howe’s departure and the new manager?
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe during the pre-season friendly match at the Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead. Picture date: Saturday July 25, 2026.
Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe during the pre-season friendly match at the Gateshead International Stadium, Gateshead. Picture date: Saturday July 25, 2026.
Eddie Howe did incredible work for us and I was sad to see him leave.
That said, he was starting to look exhausted, and the way last season finished, I wouldn’t have been surprised to see him leave in May.
We knew there would be a rebuild this summer and I was happy for him to lead it, but if we had got off to a bad start, I didn’t think he would last the season.
Howe was an incredible manager for us, though, and he deserves only good words for his time here.
I knew nothing about the new manager, admittedly, but Matthias Jaissle talks a good game.
If he has the right personnel, I feel he will be a good match for the league, but it is a huge gamble to take someone relatively unproven at European club level.
Looking ahead to the new season, how will Liverpool and Newcastle fare?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's captain Virgil van Dijk during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I think Newcastle will be anywhere between 6th and 20th!
It has been a summer of major upheaval, with several of the star players sold and replaced by potential.
The same can be said in the dugout, with a relatively unproven manager now in charge. If you were pushing me for an exact prediction, I would sit on the fence and say 12th.
As for Liverpool, I think fourth.
But there’s so much upheaval in the league generally and probably more to come, so it is harder to predict than ever.
What reception are you expecting for Alexander Isak?
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's Alexander Isak during a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
I expect Alexander Isak‘s every touch will be booed.
The Kevin Keegan tributes beforehand will be emotional, and that might dampen down some of the hatred.
It probably would have been worse last season.
Who is one player you wish Newcastle would sign, realistically?
Just one? Too many fires, not enough hoses! That said, I am confident we will sign three or four more, at least.
An out-and-out number 10 would be my choice. I’d love Morgan Gibbs-White, but I doubt that is realistic. Pick an exciting No. 10 from a fairly obscure league and that’s my choice.
If the transfer window closed today, we would be looking at a relegation fight.
It’s a total reset, which was needed, but I would rather we hadn’t sold all the stars at once.
It’s quite exciting but also terrifying, as we might have signed a bunch of duds!
What is your favourite and least favourite memory from this fixture?
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 1, 2012: Liverpool's Jose Enrique is forced to go in goal after goalkeeper Jose Reina was sent off and his side had made all three substitutions during the Premiership match against Newcastle United at St James' Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Sunday, April 1, 2012: Liverpool's Jose Enrique is forced to go in goal after goalkeeper Jose Reina was sent off and his side had made all three substitutions during the Premiership match against Newcastle United at St James' Park. (Pic by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
So many defeats over the years!
We won 2-0 in 2011/12 – we were in a great purple patch on the way to finishing fifth.
Andy Carroll got booked for diving and Jose Enrique ended up in goal for you.
Both players had been given a tough time by the Newcastle crowd, so it was a rare day when everything went right for us.
Finally, hit us with your prediction…
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola on the bench before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Sunday, August 16, 2026: Liverpool's head coach Andoni Iraola on the bench before a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and Como 1907 at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Yankuba Minteh of Brighton
JANUARY 19: Yankuba Minteh of Brighton and Hove Albion (Image: Mitchel Davidson/Alamy Live News)
Tottenham Hotspur v Brighton and Hove Albion – Premier League – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium
Brighton and Hove Albion's Yankuba Minteh during the Premier League match at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London. Picture date: Sunday May 25, 2025.