Premier League Gameweek 1
Newcastle 2 - 2 FT Liverpool
Match Statistics
Possession
Shots
Shots on Target
Expected Goals (xG)
Passes
Pass Accuracy
Corners
Fouls
Yellow Cards
Red Cards
Match Events
5' A. Elanga (W. Osula)
25' Y. Wissa
M. Kerkez 30'
J. Frimpong 30'
34' L. Miley
HT
C. Gakpo (R. Gravenberch) 55'
56' ↓ W. Osula ↑J. Willock
56' ↓ S. Steur ↑J. Ramsey
57' J. Willock (Y. Wissa)
↓ F. Wirtz ↑A. Mac Allister 63'
↓ R. Ngumoha ↑V. Munoz 63'
65' J. Ramsey
↓ J. Jacquet ↑R. Araujo 70'
76' ↓ A. Elanga ↑J. Murphy
76' ↓ L. Miley ↑A. Bamba
↓ R. Gravenberch ↑L. Koumas 78'
79' J. Murphy
V. van Dijk 90'
90'+3 L. Hornicek
90'+5 ↓ Y. Wissa ↑F. Schar
D. Szoboszlai 90'+9
FT
Player Cards
Our take on every player in this match
Newcastle
Goalkeepers
Lukáš Horníček 
OCTOPUS
5
Saves
5
Saves
0
Conceded
100%
Save %
Defenders
Amar Dedić 
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
36%
Duel Win %
Malick Thiaw 
SWEEPER
6
Cleanups
6
Cleanups
0
Interceptions
6
Blocks
Sven Botman
SWEEPER
4
Cleanups
4
Cleanups
0
Interceptions
4
Blocks
Lewis Hall
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
5
Tackles
62%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Sean Steur 
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
56
Total Mins
56
Entry
Lewis Miley
LATE SHIFT
14
Late Mins
14
Late Mins
76
Total Mins
76
Entry
Anthony Elanga 
SNIPER
50%
Conversion
50%
Conversion
1
Goals
2
Shots
Yoane Wissa 
PROVOCATEUR
4
Fouls Won
4
Fouls Won
12
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Harvey Barnes
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Forwards
William Osula 
PROVIDER
1
Assists
1
Assists
1
Key Passes
6.6
Rating
BENCH
Ewen Jaouen 
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Fabian Schär
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Leo Shahar
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Aladji Bamba
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Joe Willock 
SUPER SUB
1
Goal
1
Goal
37
Minutes
7.7
Rating
Jacob Ramsey
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
37
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Jacob Murphy
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
17
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Bazoumana Touré
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Nick Woltemade
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Liverpool
Goalkeepers
Alisson
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Defenders
Jeremie Frimpong 
ARCHITECT
2
Key Passes
2
Key Passes
0
Assists
32%
Pass Acc
Jérémy Jacquet
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
70
Total Mins
70
Entry
Virgil van Dijk
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
2
Tackles
83%
Duel Win %
Miloš Kerkez
WALL
0
Dribbled Past
0
Dribbled Past
3
Tackles
46%
Duel Win %
Midfielders
Dominik Szoboszlai 
CLUTCH HERO
90
Goal Time
90
Goal Time
Penalty
Impact
6.7
Rating
Ryan Gravenberch
PROVOCATEUR
3
Fouls Won
3
Fouls Won
4
Duels Won
0
Pens Won
Rio Ngumoha
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
63
Total Mins
63
Entry
Florian Wirtz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
63
Total Mins
63
Entry
Cody Gakpo
ARCHITECT
3
Key Passes
3
Key Passes
0
Assists
20%
Pass Acc
Forwards
Alexander Isak
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
93
Total Mins
Started
Entry
BENCH
Giorgi Mamardashvili
SPECTATOR
0
Saves
0
Saves
0
Conceded
0
Minutes
Kostas Tsimikas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Ronald Araújo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
23
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Wataru Endo
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Alexis Mac Allister
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Trey Nyoni
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
James McConnell
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
0
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Víctor Muñoz
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
30
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Lewis Koumas
LATE SHIFT
15
Late Mins
15
Late Mins
15
Total Mins
Started
Entry
Head to Head
| Date | Home | Score | Away | Competition | Venue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01/31/2026 | Liverpool | 4 - 1 | Newcastle | Premier League | Anfield |
| 08/25/2025 | Newcastle | 2 - 3 | Liverpool | Premier League | St. James' Park |
| 03/16/2025 | Liverpool | 1 - 2 | Newcastle | League Cup | Wembley Stadium |
| 02/26/2025 | Liverpool | 2 - 0 | Newcastle | Premier League | Anfield |
| 12/04/2024 | Newcastle | 3 - 3 | Liverpool | Premier League | St. James' Park |
| 01/01/2024 | Liverpool | 4 - 2 | Newcastle | Premier League | Anfield |
| 08/27/2023 | Newcastle | 1 - 2 | Liverpool | Premier League | St. James' Park |
| 02/18/2023 | Newcastle | 0 - 2 | Liverpool | Premier League | St. James' Park |
| 08/31/2022 | Liverpool | 2 - 1 | Newcastle | Premier League | Anfield |
| 04/30/2022 | Newcastle | 0 - 1 | Liverpool | Premier League | St. James' Park |
Newcastle Win
Liverpool Win
Draw
League Standings
League Standings
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +4
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 3 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +2
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: +3
P: 2 GD: +1
P: 2 GD: 0
P: 3 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -1
P: 2 GD: -2
P: 2 GD: -4
P: 2 GD: -5
P: 2 GD: -5
Match previews and recaps to help you decide which games are worth watching
Win Probability
Futmetrix AI estimate
Late Penalty Heartbreak Caps Tyneside Thriller
Must-Watch Futmetrix Score: 96/100. A breathless opening weekend clash that delivered four goals, relentless attacking intent, and a stunning 99th-minute twist to share the spoils.
Early Fireworks and Red Dominance
The opening weekend of the Premier League season delivered an absolute spectacle at St James' Park. Before the crowd could even settle into their seats, A. Elanga ignited the stadium, converting a slick pass from W. Osula to give Newcastle a 5th-minute lead. Instead of wilting under the noise, Liverpool instantly seized control of the midfield. They dominated possession to the tune of 60%, pushing high up the pitch and bombarding the home penalty area. Yet, despite their territorial superiority and a mounting shot count, they found themselves repeatedly thwarted by Lukáš Horníček. The goalkeeper was in inspired form, producing five crucial saves to keep his side ahead heading into the break. A high Intensity rating tells the story of a half played at breakneck speed, setting the stage for an explosive second period.
The Rapid-Fire Response
The tactical chessboard was thrown out the window shortly after the restart as the Balance of the match shifted completely within a frantic two-minute spell. The visitors finally broke the defensive resistance in the 55th minute when R. Gravenberch slipped a precise ball through for C. Gakpo to finish with clinical precision. It felt like momentum had decisively swung away from the hosts. Enter J. Willock. Brought off the bench in the 56th minute to inject fresh legs, the midfielder needed less than sixty seconds to write his name into the headlines. He latched onto a brilliant cutback from Y. Wissa and hammered the ball home, sending the home faithful into delirium and proving the manager's substitution to be an absolute masterstroke.
A Dramatic Final Twist
Staring down the barrel of an opening day defeat, the away side laid siege to the opposition box in search of salvation. The match transformed into a complete shooting gallery, with an astonishing 39 combined shots highlighting the sheer offensive output on display. Just as the hosts thought they had weathered the storm, catastrophe struck deep into stoppage time. A clumsy challenge inside the area handed the visitors a lifeline. Up stepped D. Szoboszlai in the 99th minute, showing ice in his veins to bury the penalty and break Tyneside hearts. Given the massive Stakes of building early season momentum, this 2-2 draw leaves both camps with a bittersweet taste. For the travelling fans, rescuing a point at the death will feel like a victory, while the home side must regroup after letting three massive points slip through their fingers at the very end.
Key Questions
Did Newcastle deserve the late equalizer?
Liverpool actually scored the late equalizer through Szoboszlai after a relentless barrage of 26 shots, making their last-gasp penalty a justified reward for their attacking persistence.
How did substitute Joe Willock change the game?
Coming on in the 56th minute, Willock made an instant impact by scoring within sixty seconds, briefly reclaiming the lead and completely shifting the match's momentum.
Did the derby intensity affect the quality of play?
Not at all. The fierce tempo actually elevated the spectacle, resulting in a thrilling end-to-end clash with 39 combined shots and relentless attacking intent.
What is the Title Race Clash?
The Title Race Clash is the rivalry between Newcastle and Liverpool, a passionate regional rivalry with deep local significance.
What is the Futmetrix Score?
The Futmetrix Score is our 0-100 verdict on how entertaining a match is. We look at intensity, balance, stakes, and star quality to tell you if it's worth your time.
Opening Day Fireworks Await in the North
Average Entertainment Futmetrix Score: 49/100. While matchday one rarely defines a season, this early heavyweight clash sets the tone for both sides' Premier League ambitions.
The Setup
August 23, 2026, marks the start of a grueling campaign, wiping the slate clean and throwing early Form out the window. A seemingly modest Stakes rating ignores the brutal reality of the English top flight—dropping points on opening day immediately puts you on the back foot. The competitive Balance is sky-high, promising a tense affair even if the overall Stars rating feels surprisingly quiet before players hit their mid-season stride. Newcastle lean heavily on midfield grit and technical security from S. Tonali and Bruno Guimarães. Meanwhile, Liverpool introduce fresh attacking dynamics, relying on the creative sparks of F. Wirtz and D. Szoboszlai to unlock stubborn defenses.
Key Battle
The defining clash will unfold in the center of the park. The home side's rugged defensive midfield block must withstand intense, coordinated waves of pressure from the visitors' fluid attacking transitions. Whoever dictates the tempo in this central warzone will ultimately control the match.
Our Prediction
The visitors' slight edge in offensive firepower makes them the narrow favorites. Expect a tight, transitional game where the away side ruthlessly punishes a late lapse in concentration to steal a 2-1 victory.