Liverpool head to Newcastle United looking to continue a positive start to their Premier League title defence in the 2025/26 campaign.
Arne Slot’s defending champions kicked off their season with a superb 4-2 fightback win against Bournemouth at Anfield and they have enjoyed an 10-day gap in between games.
Newcastle’s own season started with a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa and this game has plenty of added spice due to the ongoing Alexander Isak transfer saga.
The Magpies Super Swede has set out his clear desire to swap Tyneside for Merseyside before the transfer deadline on September 1 but Eddie Howe is standing firm for now.
Isak has publicly called out the club over the situation – citing ‘broken promises’ over being allowed to move on – which the Newcastle hierarchy has denied were given to their No.14.
With all eyes on St. James’ Park – The Sporting News takes a look at three key questions for Slot ahead of kickoff.
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How to quieten the Isak noise?The travelling Liverpool supporters will make no secret of their confidence over signing Isak, so expect songs high up in the stands at St. James’.
Newcastle fans have been disappointed over how Isak is handling the latest chapter in the transfer debacle and they see this game as chance to remind him and Liverpool of their power on home soil.
Liverpool are rumoured to be preparing a second and final offer for the 25-year-old but it may fall short of Newcastle’s demands.
There is little Slot or Howe can do to stop the fan banter, but Slot is planning for both scenarios on Isak, and that will be the pre-game message.
Hugo Ekitike has been excellent in his first few weeks at Liverpool, with two goals in two games, and he will be pushing his case that Slot doesn’t need Isak.
Slot faces right back conundrumThe decision to let Trent Alexander-Arnold go this summer was part mitigated by the rise of Conor Bradley and the eventual signing of Jeremie Frimpong from Bayer Leverkusen.
Bradley suffered an injury in preseason and missed the FA Community Shield loss to Crystal Palace and the opening Bournemouth win.
Slot will not risk the Northern Ireland international in this game, ahead of hosting Arsenal on August 31, and Frimpong is also missing after being forced off with a hamstring issue against the Cherries.
The Dutch international is also absent for the Arsenal game with Slot confirming he will not return until after the September international break.
Joe Gomez replaced him in that game – and despite rumours of Dominik Szoboszlai or Wataru Endo being drafted in at right-back – Slot is prepared to stick with his No.2.
Kerkez vs. Robertson: The Elanga stress testAlongside replacing Frimpong, Slot faces two other key calls, one in defence and one in midfield.
Ryan Gravenberch missed out through suspension against Bournemouth, but he’s expected to partner Alexis Mac Allister, with Szoboszlai benched.
However, the more pressing decision focuses on left-back, after Milos Kerkez endured a tough debut against his old team.
Slot opted to replace the Hungary international with Andy Robertson on the hour mark after the new No.6 was booked before half-time.
Antoine Semenyo caused him a few headaches, with the Ghanaian going on to score two goals after his withdrawal, and whoever starts will likely come up against speedster Anthony Elanga.
Despite Semenyo’s goals coming after Kerkez was hooked, Robertson handled the situation with greater calm, and the challenge of Elanga is a key 1v1 battle.
The Swedish international registered 11 Premier League assists at Nottingham Forestlast season and appeared in the Top 10 for crosses [185] and goal-creating actions [18].
Robertson could be the better call here if slot feels Kerkez could be exposed.
Liverpool news and related linksJamie Carragher claims new Liverpool star will be Premier League ‘superstar’Alexander Isak saga takes dramatic turn as Liverpool deal hits complicationMo Salah makes record breaking history after stunning PFA win
