Jaissle’s Newcastle Era Begins with Injury Challenges

A new chapter starts at St James’ Park on Sunday. A new head coach in Matthias Jaissle, a heavyweight opponent in Liverpool, and a Newcastle United squad already patched up before a ball has been kicked in the Premier League.

The optimism of a fresh start comes with a hard dose of reality. Key players are missing, others are in limbo, and Jaissle has wasted no time acknowledging the scale of the task after a summer of upheaval and departures.

Joelinton Blow as Midfield Plans Disrupted

The biggest setback is Joelinton.

The Brazilian fought his way back onto the pitch in preseason, featuring against Valencia and Everton after the muscle injury that wrecked the end of his 2025-26 campaign. Just when it looked like he was ready to drive Newcastle into the new season, another problem struck.

According to The Shields Gazette’s Jordan Cronin, Joelinton will sit out the opener against Liverpool and is being tentatively pencilled in for a return on September 14, when Newcastle travel to Leeds United.

Jaissle did not hide his frustration at losing such an influential figure so early in his tenure.

“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.”

For a coach trying to install new ideas and structures, losing a physical, press-resistant midfielder like Joelinton strips away a major pillar of the side.

Livramento Still Sidelined After World Cup Setback

On the right flank, there is another enforced change.

Tino Livramento has not played a single minute of preseason. A calf injury forced him out of England’s World Cup squad and he has been in recovery mode ever since. The full-back is edging closer to fitness, but not quickly enough for Liverpool’s visit.

Cronin reports that Newcastle’s trip to Tottenham on August 29 is the current target for his comeback. Sunday comes too soon.

That leaves Jaissle without his dynamic, overlapping right-back just as he tries to shape the team’s build-up play and defensive balance. One of his most versatile defenders will have to watch from the stands.

Willock Doubt Adds to Midfield Uncertainty

If Joelinton is a confirmed absentee and Livramento is firmly ruled out, Joe Willock sits somewhere in between.

The midfielder was forced off late in Newcastle’s final preseason outing against Strasbourg. Cronin notes that the exact nature of the injury has not yet been confirmed, though a groin issue has been suggested. There is no clear timeline for his return.

To complicate matters further, Willock’s name has been linked with a move to Besiktas. Any potential transfer would need to be resolved before matchday one, adding another layer of uncertainty to Jaissle’s midfield options.

Newcastle could enter their opener without two of their most powerful runners from deep, just as the new manager tries to set the tone for his regime.

Liverpool Also Short, But Threat Remains

Liverpool arrive with problems of their own.

Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Giovanni Leoni and Joe Gomez have all been ruled out of Sunday’s clash. Several others are doubts for the trip to Tyneside and will be monitored in the build-up.

Even so, the visitors travel with a squad accustomed to competing under pressure, while Newcastle’s new-look side is still being assembled around absences and question marks.

A New Era, Immediate Questions

Jaissle’s first Premier League team sheet at St James’ Park will already carry the marks of compromise. No Joelinton. No Livramento. Willock hanging in the balance.

The new era starts now, but with so many key pieces missing, how quickly can Newcastle really show what they are supposed to become?