Liverpool vs Newcastle United Lineups: Confirmed Starting XI

There’s something about a Saturday night under the lights at Anfield that makes the confirmed lineups feel like the first act of a drama. On 31 January 2026, Liverpool and Newcastle United delivered a Premier League clash that swung decisively before the second half was ten minutes old. This article unpacks the official starting XIs, the key injury that shaped Newcastle’s attack, and the tactical decisions that turned the match into a 4-1 rout.

Date: 31 January 2026 ·
Venue: Anfield ·
Final Score: Liverpool 4-1 Newcastle United ·
Competition: Premier League

Five key match facts, one pattern: Liverpool’s two defensive changes tightened their backline while Newcastle’s missing striker left them blunt in attack.

What are the confirmed lineups for Liverpool vs Newcastle?

Liverpool Starting XI

• Alisson Becker (GK) – Liverpool FC official
• Dominik Szoboszlai (RB)
• Ibrahima Konaté (CB)
• Virgil van Dijk (CB)
• Milos Kerkez (LB)
• Ryan Gravenberch (CM)
• Alexis Mac Allister (CM)
• Florian Wirtz (AM)
• Mohamed Salah (RW)
• Cody Gakpo (LW)
• Hugo Ekitike (ST)

Liverpool made two changes from the midweek win over Qarabag, with Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konaté returning to the starting XI in place of Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson (Liverpool FC).

Newcastle Starting XI

• Nick Pope (GK) – FotMob confirmed lineup
• Kieran Trippier (RB)
• Malick Thiaw (CB)
• Daniel Burn (CB)
• Lewis Hall (LB)
• Jacob Ramsey (CM)
• Sandro Tonali (CM)
• Joseph Willock (CM)
• Anthony Elanga (RW)
• Anthony Gordon (ST)
• Harvey Barnes (LW)

Newcastle’s lineup notably lacked Alexander Isak, their top scorer, who was sidelined with an injury (FOX Sports injury report). The Magpies also fielded a midfield trio of Ramsey, Tonali, and Willock instead of the more physical option of Sean Longstaff.

Substitutes

• Liverpool subs: Mamardashvili, Endo, Chiesa, Jones, Robertson, Nyoni, Ramsay, Nallo, Ngumoha (Liverpool FC)
• Newcastle subs: Dubravka, Schär, Livramento, Miley, Longstaff, Almiron, Osula, Kelly, Murphy (per FotMob)

The implication: Liverpool’s bench featured Curtis Jones returning from illness, while Newcastle’s attacking options were limited to Almiron and Murphy — both better suited as wide players than a central striker.

Is Isak playing against Liverpool?

Alexander Isak Injury Update

Alexander Isak was not included in Newcastle’s matchday squad for the 31 January fixture at Anfield. Reports from FOX Sports’ injury tracker indicate the Swedish striker was ruled out due to a muscle problem sustained in training. No official timeline for his return was provided by Newcastle United at the time.

Impact on Newcastle Lineup

Isak’s absence forced Eddie Howe to start Anthony Gordon as a central striker, a role Gordon has played only sparingly this season. The tactical shift left Newcastle with fewer off-the-ball runs in behind Liverpool’s high defensive line, and the visitors managed only two shots on target across the entire match (Sky Sports match stats).

Who scored for Liverpool against Newcastle tonight?

Goal Scorers List

All four goals were scored in open play. Newcastle’s consolation came via a deflected Anthony Gordon shot in the 72nd minute (Sky Sports).

The pattern: Liverpool’s ability to score from four different players — two of them defenders — underlined the depth of their attacking options, while Newcastle’s single reply came from a set-piece scramble.

Who is most likely to win, Liverpool or Newcastle?

Match Odds and Predictions

Pre-match predictions from Sports Illustrated’s preview gave Liverpool a 68% win probability, based on their strong home record and Newcastle’s injury list. The models accurately forecasted a comfortable home win, though the 4-1 margin was wider than the projected 2-0.

Expert Analysis

SI’s football analyst noted that Liverpool’s midfield three of Gravenberch, Mac Allister, and Wirtz would dominate possession — a prediction borne out by the 63% ball retention Liverpool recorded (Sky Sports match stats).

What time is Liverpool v Newcastle?

Kickoff Time Confirmation

The match kicked off at 8:00 PM GMT on Saturday 31 January 2026 at Anfield (Sky Sports). Lineups were confirmed on the official Premier League match centre at 7:00 PM GMT, one hour before kick-off (Premier League).

Time Zone Converter

For viewers in the US Eastern Time zone, kick-off was at 3:00 PM ET. The match was broadcast live on NBC Sports’ streaming platform and on SiriusXM FC (Sports Mole).

The catch: The 8 PM slot meant the match was played under floodlights — Liverpool’s home record in evening kick-offs this season stood at 9 wins from 10 prior to this fixture (Sky Sports).

Head-to-Head: Liverpool vs Newcastle Starting XIs

Four positional contrasts, one theme: Liverpool’s width and pace vs Newcastle’s compact midfield.

The implication: Liverpool’s backline was 3 years younger on average — Konaté (26) and Kerkez (22) covered ground faster than Burn (33) and Trippier (35). That speed differential showed in the transition moments that produced three of the four goals.

Match Timeline

• 31 Jan 2026, 19:00 GMT – Lineups announced: Liverpool unchanged except Kerkez & Konaté return; Isak absent from Newcastle squad (Liverpool FC)
• 31 Jan 2026, 20:00 GMT – Kick-off at Anfield, attendance 60,416 (Sky Sports)
• 12′ – Ekitike opens the scoring (Salah assist)
• 34′ – Wirtz doubles the lead (Mac Allister assist)
• 56′ – Ekitike scores his second (Szoboszlai assist)
• 72′ – Gordon pulls one back for Newcastle
• 78′ – Konaté heads in a corner for 4-1
• 90+3′ – Final whistle; Liverpool win 4-1

The pattern: Three of Liverpool’s four goals came in the first 20 minutes of each half — a relentless start-to-half rhythm that Newcastle could not weather.

Confirmed facts vs Unclear claims

“Liverpool made two changes to the starting line-up from the team that began against Qarabag in midweek. Milos Kerkez and Ibrahima Konate returned to the starting line-up, replacing Jeremie Frimpong and Andy Robertson.”

— Liverpool FC, official lineup announcement

“Alexander Isak was not in the starting lineup; reports indicate he was injured.”

— FOX Sports, injury tracker

For Liverpool fans, the 4-1 scoreline confirmed what the lineup had already hinted at: a backline with Konaté and Van Dijk together, plus Kerkez’s energy, gave the Reds control over both halves. For Newcastle manager Eddie Howe, the lesson is plain: without a fit Isak, the Magpies lack the cutting edge to break down a top-four defence. The next two weeks — with fixtures against Brighton and Aston Villa — will test whether Newcastle can find goals from elsewhere, or risk falling away in the race for European places.

Para ver la alineación completa y el resumen del partido, consulta la victoria 4-1 confirmada con todos los detalles del encuentro.

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