New Delhi: The final game of Matchweek 2 of the Premier League 2025-26 season promises to be the spiciest of the lot. Newcastle United host reigning champions Liverpool at St. James’ Park without a Premier League win against the Reds in the last decade, and their talismanic striker, Alexander Isak.
The Magpies have been at the centre of attraction in the ongoing summer transfer window due to the transfer saga of Isak, who has refused to play for the Tyneside club in a desperate bid to force a transfer away from the club, which signed him from Spain’s Real Sociedad for £63m three years ago.
Newcastle also want an amicable end to the situation, which has dragged on for more than a month. Eddie Howe’s side values Isak at around £150m and reportedly rejected a £100m bid from Liverpool, Isak’s biggest suitors, who are in town for Monday’s fixture.
While Howe has confirmed Isak won’t be available for the rematch of the 2025 Carabao Cup final, which Newcastle won to lift their first major trophy in 75 years, he remains hopeful that the Swedish striker can be reintegrated into the squad in the near future.
Can Newcastle cope with Isak’s absence against Liverpool?
The reigning League Cup winners have already played a game without Isak and were held to a 0-0 draw at Aston Villa in the opener. Facing Liverpool without their main man is a massive challenge for Newcastle, who haven’t won a Premier League match against the PL giants in a decade.
They face a Liverpool side, which looked menacing up front and vulnerable at the back during their season-opening 4-2 home win against Bournemouth.
Summer signing Hugo Ekikite, who opened his Liverpool account in the Bournemouth game, will look to add to his tally against a club that he rejected in favour of the Reds in the summer transfer window.
While Newcastle defeated Liverpool in their last meeting, running out 2-1 winners in the Carabao Cup final in March, they haven’t beaten the 20-time champions in the league since a 2-0 home win in December 2015.
Last season, both sides played out a pulsating 3-3 draw at St James’ Park last season. However, the Reds won the reverse fixture at Anfield 2-0. In overall head-to-head fixtures, Liverpool have won on 93 occasions compared to Newcastle’s 50 victories in 189 meetings.
The match will be telecast live in India on Star Sports Network from 12.30 am onwards tonight (Monday). Live streaming will be available on JioHotstar.