Newcastle United hosts Liverpool FC in a matchup of two big money clubs who, at least on paper, will likely take a step backwards this season. No one got weaker this summer transfer window than Newcastle, who had to sell-off key pieces in order to comply with financial regulations. Liverpool meanwhile have a glaring whole to fill on the wing, and their central midfield is just one major injury away from a crisis. Of course, things could still change, for both clubs, before transfer window deadline day. However, the top storyline here will be Alex Isak.
Premier League Season Opener
Liverpool FC at Newcastle United FYIs
Kickoff: Sun. Aug 23, 4:30pm, St. James Park, Newcastle, UK
Preview Content for Both Sides: Predicted Starting XIs Team News
Latest Liverpool Transfer Rumors: go here
Google Result Probability: Newcastle United wins 26% Liverpool wins 50% a Draw 24%
After a very long and extremely bitter holdout last summer, Alex Isak got his exit from move to Liverpool, which broke multiple transfer fee records at the time. Now he returns to St. James Park, where the £130m man will face his old team for the very first time.
Isak at St. James Park, as a member of the opposition. You know the home crowd will show up and provide us with absolute cinema.
Starting XI Predictions
Liverpool FC
Alisson Becker; Jeremie Frimpong, Ronald Araujo, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai; Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, Rio Ngumoha; Alex Isak.
Newcastle United
Lukas Hornícek; Amar Dedic, Dan Burn, Malick Thiaw, Lewis Hall; Lewis Miley, Jacob Ramsey; Jacob Murphy, Bazoumana Touré, Anthony Elanga; Will Osula.
Paul M. Banks is the Founding Editor of The Sports Bank. He’s also the author of “Transatlantic Passage: How the English Premier League Redefined Soccer in America,” and “No, I Can’t Get You Free Tickets: Lessons Learned From a Life in the Sports Media Industry.”
He currently contributes to USA Today’s NFL Wires Network, Ratings and RG. His past bylines include the New York Daily News, Sports Illustrated and the Chicago Tribune. His work has been featured in numerous outlets, including the Wall Street Journal, Forbes and the Washington Post.