Newcastle United will host Liverpool on 23 August in their first major test under Matthias Jaissle, who replaced Eddie Howe as manager in early August. The club finished 12th in the Premier League last season despite Howe guiding them to the 2025 EFL Cup.
Newcastle have lost key players Bruno Guimarães, Sandro Tonali and Anthony Gordon to Barcelona, Tottenham and Arsenal respectively this summer, following Alexander Isak's £125 million departure to Liverpool last year. Jaissle has overseen a youth-focused rebuild, completing seven signings including four players under 21, among them former player Amar Dedic from Benfica for £30 million and 18-year-old Sean Steur from Ajax.
The club also announced plans for a £190 million training facility at Woolsington Hall, targeted for completion by the 2029-30 season. The Liverpool match carries added poignancy as club legend Kevin Keegan died in July aged 75.