MatchNewcastle v Liverpool: 12 key stats to know about Premier League opener
Check out some of the best Opta statistics previewing Liverpool’s Premier League opener at Newcastle United on Sunday.
The Reds get their 2026-27 campaign under way by visiting St. James’ Park for a 4.30pm BST kick-off that is also Andoni Iraola’s first competitive fixture as head coach.
Whet your appetite further for the occasion with the facts and figures below…
The clubs have met twice before in the opening game of a league campaign, both at St. James’ Park. Liverpool were winners of each – 1-0 in 1931-32 and 2-0 in 1986-87.
Each of the last three Premier League meetings between Newcastle and Liverpool at St. James’ Park have had a result-altering goal scored after 90+ minutes (Darwin Nunez’s winner for Liverpool in August 2023, Fabian Schar’s equaliser for Newcastle in December 2024, and Rio Ngumoha’s winner for Liverpool in August 2025).
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Watch on YouTubeLiverpool are unbeaten in their last 19 Premier League matches against Newcastle, winning 14 and drawing five.
In their last nine top-flight trips to St. James’ Park, the Reds have won six times and drawn three.
There have been 198 goals scored in Premier League meetings between Newcastle and Liverpool to date. Two goals in this game would make it the third fixture to reach 200 in the competition, after Liverpool v Tottenham Hotspur (211) and Arsenal v Tottenham (200).
The Reds are unbeaten in their first Premier League match in the last 13 seasons (10 wins, three draws) since losing 3-0 to West Bromwich Albion in 2012-13. It is the longest current ongoing run and longest since Chelsea went 18 seasons without losing their opener between 1999-2000 and 2016-17.
Alexander Isak had a hand in 28 goals across his last 26 Premier League appearances at St. James’ Park as a Newcastle player (22 goals, six assists).
Iraola did not lose any of six meetings with Newcastle in the Premier League while in charge of AFC Bournemouth (three wins, three draws).
Liverpool’s 12 comeback victories versus Newcastle are the most by one side against another in the Premier League’s history.
The Reds have lost just one of their last 27 league games in the month of August (20 wins, six draws), winning nine of their last 10.
The Magpies have both scored (14 goals) and conceded (13) in each of their last seven league matches at St. James’ Park.
New Newcastle boss Matthias Jaissle won his first game in charge at each of his three previous clubs (Liefering, Red Bull Salzburg and Al Ahli).