Matthias Jaissle Faces Injury Challenges in Premier League Debut

A new era begins at St James’ Park on Sunday, but Matthias Jaissle will walk into his Premier League debut as Newcastle United head coach with key pieces already missing.

Liverpool’s visit would be a stern examination at the best of times. Jaissle must tackle it without Joelinton and Tino Livramento, and with fresh concern over Joe Willock after a worrying knock in preseason.

Jaissle’s first big problem

The German has been open about the scale of the rebuild after a summer of upheaval. Big characters have gone, new ideas are being installed, and now injuries are biting before a ball has even been kicked in the league.

Joelinton’s absence stings most. The Brazilian battled back from the muscle injury that cut short his 2025-26 campaign, featuring in friendlies against Valencia and Everton, only to suffer another setback. Local reporter Jordan Cronin of The Shields Gazette reports that Newcastle are now targeting the Sept. 14 trip to Leeds United for his return.

“Now with Joelinton, a player who's unfortunately injured, so he will be missing a couple of weeks as it looks right now,” he said. “This is something we need to solve as soon as possible. Well, he will miss for sure the first weeks, but all details will be followed.”

No ambiguity there. Newcastle start the season without one of their most influential, most versatile midfielders.

Livramento still waiting

On the opposite flank, Livramento’s wait for a fresh start continues.

The right back has not played a minute of preseason. A calf injury forced him out of England’s World Cup squad and he has been on the recovery trail since. Progress has been made, but not enough for Sunday.

Cronin notes that the Aug. 29 trip to Tottenham is currently pencilled in as Livramento’s likely comeback date. That leaves Jaissle short of a dynamic, modern full-back option against a Liverpool side that relentlessly targets wide areas.

The new head coach wanted to stamp his identity on this team from day one. Instead, he is already reaching for contingency plans.

Willock adds to the uncertainty

If Joelinton and Livramento are clear absentees, Willock sits in the grey area.

The midfielder was forced off late in Newcastle’s final preseason friendly against Strasbourg. According to Cronin, the exact nature of the problem has not yet been confirmed, though a groin issue has been suggested. No firm timeline has been set.

There is another twist. Willock has been linked with a move to Besiktas, with suggestions he could even depart before matchday one. Newcastle could therefore be without him on Sunday for one of two reasons: injury or transfer.

Either way, Jaissle may have to plan for Liverpool without three players who, in different ways, help define Newcastle’s energy and running from midfield and full-back.

Liverpool’s own injury list

Liverpool arrive with problems of their own.

Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez have all been ruled out of the trip to Tyneside. Several others are considered doubtful, leaving their manager to juggle options for a tough opening assignment on the road.

Even so, Liverpool travel as a hardened, battle-tested side. Newcastle, by contrast, are trying to find their feet under a new boss while patching up a squad already stretched.

Selection headaches on day one

So Jaissle’s first team sheet in the Premier League will be a statement of intent, but also an exercise in compromise.

No Joelinton to crash through lines and set the tone. No Livramento to offer thrust and recovery speed down the right. Willock, at best, a late decision and at worst already out of the picture.

The new era at St James’ Park will not ease in gently. It will start with questions about depth, adaptability and resilience against one of the league’s most ruthless opponents.

How quickly Newcastle answer them could define more than just opening day.