Our first game of the 2025/26 season is here, and it is perhaps the biggest one.
We have Sunderland to come and competitions that can later define our urge to Europe in the campaign, but this feels enormous for so many reasons and has all the start of a fierce and hectic affair under the lights in St James’ Park.
It is clear that we stand up against the side that striker Alexander Isak is currently insisting to participate, but it is also the first meetings because we defeated them in Wembley in March and a chance to finally talk on the field after months of noise and negativity.
Hugo Ekitike will start for the Reds and as a club we will be out to prove a point, both as a team and a fan base. To the arrogance on Merseyside, to spoil Brat Isak and for ourselves, because no player is greater than the club and this group is still being dismissed and determined to deliver a large season, although some persevere us.
It has been a tough summer that went so much wrong since our last competitive match at St James’-a 1-0 defeat against Everton far back in May but the atmosphere will be something different on Monday evening and I expect that we will be with it from the start; On the field and in the stands.
Newcastle XI (4-3-3): Pope – Trippier, Schar, Burn, Livramento – Bruno, Tonali, Joelinton – Elanga, Gordon, Barnes.
Liverpool XI (4-3-3): Alisson – Steseslai, Konate, Van Dijk, Circles – GravenberchMac Allister, Wirtz – againEquity, Salah.
Ruled out: Isak (sulking), frimpong (hamstring).
I think we are going with the same side that impressed in our 0-0 draw at Aston Villa last Saturday, because it had all the elements of a solid road next to that end product where it mattered.
That finishing touch should improve if we have to see a liver pool favorites to win the title again, but they looked defensively in that 4-2 victory on Bournemouth on the opening day, missing fit right-wing backs and will go to a front three full pace and energy in elanga, gordon and barnes, if that is what is what is what is.
Midfield plucks itself and so the rear four, for now, are allowed with Burn and Schar Man Mountains in Villa, which means that Botman and Thiaw wait despite the conviction that they will be our future combination in the middle.
Hall still goes back to the sharpness after almost six months and will soon be our starting left back, but Livramento is the ideal man to take care of Salah, as he showed in the final of March.
I would not exclude a 3-5-2, and saw Botman come in for Barnes, which allows an electric front two from Gordon and Elanga, although I still think Howe will favor 4-3-3, hoping that Burn and Schar will be enough to keep Ekitike still after the pair of Watkins last weekend.
Regardless of the start of How 11, our bank will be much stronger. Jacob Ramsey can be a difference maker against tiring legs and we will also have Murphy in reserve if Elanga gets the nod again.
Match forecast
My heart says a 3-2 victory and my head says a high score. Anyway, we can expect a thorough affair and a few goals, with the last league match in St James’ Park a 3-3 draw.
The atmosphere should drive the players and give us the 12th man in a game in which Liverpool will have the quality provision in attack, but our midfield three is a match for everyone in world football on their day; They just have to keep their heads.
The return of Gravenberch has to add some steel to the Liverpool engine room, but I am still back to win that battle. The Questio is, can we keep their star attack still and show the end product that we were missing on the other side last weekend?
Gordon to score, Joelinton to save the crowd within the first 10 minutes with a cracking tackle and both parties to share a point in a St James’ Park Classic.
Prediction: Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool
How do you want the boys!
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