Liverpool Faces Injury Woes Ahead of Premier League Opener Against Newcastle
As the Premier League season kicks off, Liverpool anticipates missing eight players for their opening match against Newcastle United at St James’ Park this Sunday.
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The team grapples with several injuries, further complicated by uncertainty surrounding the fitness of Federico Chiesa before their trip to the North East. Newcastle also deals with its own injury issues, presenting both new head coaches with challenging selections for their inaugural competitive matches.
This clash marks a new chapter for both clubs. Andoni Iraola steps into his role as Liverpool’s head coach for the first time in the league, while Matthias Jaissle faces his competitive debut at the helm of Newcastle.
The return of Alexander Isak to St James’ Park adds another layer of intrigue to an already tense opening weekend.
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Liverpool’s Injury List Grows Ahead of Vital Fixture
In preparation for the match, Liverpool will not include Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni, and Joe Gomez due to injuries. Curtis Jones and Freddie Woodman are also doubtful, while Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic will be missing. This situation could leave Iraola without eight players as he hopes to secure a successful start.
The situation is further complicated by Chiesa’s non-participation in Wednesday’s training, casting doubt on his availability for the match. His absence would limit Liverpool’s attacking options as Ekitike is already sidelined.
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Opening matches can often present challenges, especially after a summer of adjustments and varied player fitness levels. Liverpool will need to navigate the hostile environment of St James’ Park, where Newcastle can transform any early pressure into significant momentum.
This will test the squad’s depth from the get-go. Iraola may have to depend more on younger players or adjust his strategy based on his available squad.
Defensive Concerns Arise with Gomez’s Injury
The injury to Gomez is particularly worrisome due to his versatility as a defender who can play both centrally and at full-back, making him a valuable asset during times of disruption in the defense.
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Iraola revealed that Gomez has a muscle injury and is unlikely to be fit before the season starts. “Joe has a muscle injury,” he stated. “I think it was quite clear since he complained straight away, so it will depend how he evolves, but he will be some weeks off.”
The head coach estimated a recovery period of about a month but acknowledged that the timeline might change based on Gomez’s response to treatment.
“It’s not massive, it’s a normal muscle injury, but I think it’s going to be impossible to have him for the start of the season because we are not so far away,” Iraola added. “It shouldn’t be a lot more.”
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Without Gomez, Bradley, and Leoni, Liverpool’s defensive options are considerably limited. This could affect Iraola’s lineup choices and the defensive strategy employed against a Newcastle team known for their speed and aggressive play.
Newcastle’s Fitness Issues Offer Hope to Liverpool
Newcastle is also facing fitness challenges ahead of this encounter. Joelinton has been ruled out for several weeks, which removes a key component from Jaissle’s squad.
Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento are also regarded as doubts. With Schar’s potential absence, the hosts may suffer a blow to their defensive structure while Livramento’s fitness is being scrutinized following a challenging period of injuries.
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The 23-year-old had a disrupted 2025-26 season before gaining a position in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. An injury sustained in mid-June led to his withdrawal, but he has since returned to full training post-rehabilitation.
This return allows Jaissle to evaluate the former Southampton player alongside Amar Dedic, Newcastle’s latest right-back addition. Nonetheless, just because Livramento is back to training does not guarantee he is fit for a tough Premier League match.
For Liverpool, Joelinton’s absence could be crucial. His physical style and ability to regain possession play a significant role in Newcastle’s intensity, so without him, the visitors might find extra space to control midfield.
Liverpool Looks to Maintain Strong Streak Against Newcastle
Despite their injury concerns, Liverpool’s past performance against Newcastle offers some optimism. They remain unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League matches against the Magpies, achieving 14 wins and five draws.
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Iraola also has a promising record against Newcastle, having avoided defeat in all six of his league encounters with the team while at Bournemouth.
Past encounters may provide reassurance, but they cannot promise a positive outcome. This season introduces new management on both sides, with players adapting to new demands. St James’ Park is set for a match marked by managerial debuts and Isak’s return.
Liverpool’s goal is to ensure their injury issues do not dictate the outcome of the match. Even with eight players potentially sidelined, and the risk of Chiesa joining their ranks, the remaining squad features enough talent to assert their presence.
A win would give Iraola a sense of immediate direction, while for Jaissle and Newcastle, breaking Liverpool’s long unbeaten streak would signal a strong start to their campaign.
Eight Liverpool players set to miss Newcastle Premier League opener
Eight Liverpool players are expected to be unavailable when the champions begin their Premier League campaign against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday.
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Liverpool’s preparations have been complicated by a collection of injuries, while the fitness of Federico Chiesa has introduced another element of uncertainty before the journey to the North East. Newcastle have problems of their own, leaving both new head coaches with difficult decisions ahead of their first competitive assignments.
The match will begin a new chapter for the two clubs. Andoni Iraola is preparing to take charge of Liverpool in the Premier League for the first time, while Matthias Jaissle will make his competitive bow as Newcastle head coach.
Alexander Isak’s return to St James’ Park adds another compelling thread to an occasion already carrying the tension associated with an opening weekend.
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Eight Liverpool players unavailable for Newcastle trip
Liverpool will travel without Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez, all of whom remain sidelined by injury.
Curtis Jones and Freddie Woodman are considered doubts, while Jayden Danns and Stefan Bajcetic are also unavailable. Collectively, those absences mean Iraola may be missing eight Liverpool players as he attempts to make a winning start.
Chiesa could increase that number. The Italian forward was not involved in training on Wednesday, placing his availability for Sunday’s match in doubt. His absence would reduce Liverpool’s attacking options at a time when Ekitike is already unable to feature.
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Opening fixtures can often be awkward, particularly following a summer of tactical changes and fluctuating player fitness. Liverpool must also negotiate the hostility of St James’ Park, where Newcastle are capable of turning an early spell of pressure into sustained momentum.
Squad depth will therefore be tested immediately. Iraola may need to place greater responsibility on younger members of the group or adjust his preferred system to accommodate the players available.
Joe Gomez injury creates defensive concern
Gomez’s absence is particularly significant because of his versatility. The defender can operate centrally or at full-back, making him a useful option whenever injuries disrupt the balance of Liverpool’s back line.
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Iraola confirmed that Gomez had suffered a muscle problem and was unlikely to recover before the campaign began.
“Joe has a muscle injury,” Iraola said. “I think it was quite clear since he complained straight away, so it will depend how he evolves, but he will be some weeks off.”
The Liverpool head coach suggested that a recovery period of approximately a month represented a sensible initial estimate, although the precise timetable will depend on how Gomez responds to treatment.
“It’s not massive, it’s a normal muscle injury, but I think it’s going to be impossible to have him for the start of the season because we are not so far away,” Iraola added. “It shouldn’t be a lot more.”
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Without Gomez, Bradley and Leoni, Liverpool’s defensive resources appear unusually stretched. That could influence Iraola’s selection as well as the level of freedom granted to his full-backs against a Newcastle side expected to attack with speed and aggression.
Newcastle fitness doubts offer Liverpool encouragement
Newcastle will not approach the contest with a fully fit squad either. Joelinton has been ruled out for several weeks, depriving Jaissle of one of the side’s most forceful midfielders.
Fabian Schar and Tino Livramento are also doubts. Schar’s possible absence would affect the hosts’ defensive organisation, while Livramento’s condition will be monitored closely after a difficult period with injuries.
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The 23-year-old endured an interrupted 2025-26 season before earning a place in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad. An injury suffered in mid-June forced him to withdraw, but he has since returned to full first-team training following an extensive rehabilitation programme.
That return allows Jaissle to assess the former Southampton defender alongside Amar Dedic, Newcastle’s new right-back. Even so, a return to training does not necessarily mean Livramento is ready to start a demanding Premier League fixture.
For Liverpool, Joelinton’s absence could prove important. His physical presence, ability to regain possession and willingness to carry the ball make him central to Newcastle’s intensity. Without him, the visitors may find more room to establish control in midfield.
Strong record gives Liverpool confidence at St James’ Park
Liverpool’s recent record against Newcastle provides grounds for optimism despite their personnel problems. They are unbeaten in their past 19 Premier League meetings with the Magpies, winning 14 and drawing five.
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Iraola also possesses an encouraging personal record against Sunday’s opponents. During his time with Bournemouth, he avoided defeat in all six of his league encounters with Newcastle.
History will offer reassurance, but it cannot guarantee another favourable result. This is a new season under different managers, with both squads adapting to fresh demands. St James’ Park will also be primed for an occasion shaped by managerial debuts and Isak’s return.
Liverpool’s challenge is to prevent their injury list from defining the afternoon. Eight Liverpool players may be unavailable, and Chiesa could become a ninth concern, but the remaining squad still contains enough quality to impose itself.
For Iraola, victory would provide an immediate sense of direction. For Jaissle and Newcastle, ending Liverpool’s long unbeaten sequence in this fixture would represent an emphatic beginning.
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