Newcastle United vs Liverpool: All the stats that you need to know about this 'Alexander Isak derby'

The weekend might be over but English Premier League action isn't done yet. Match-2 culminates with an interesting clash, Newcastle United hosting Liverpool on Monday (August 25). Historically, you wouldn't call this a grudge match of any kind, even with the intensity that we have seen in previous duels. However, considering the common factor in Alexander Isak for both sides, this can be called the 'Alexander Isak derby', although the Swedish striker is set to miss out on this fixture.

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe had revealed last week itself that Isak would be sitting out of the fixture as tensions continue between the forward and Newcastle board. Meanwhile, the Magpies started the season with a dull 0-0 draw against Aston Villa and will be hoping to pick up their first win of the season but the challenge at hand is immense. Liverpool started their title defence in style, courtesy a high-scoring game against Bournemouth that the Reds won by a 4-2 margin.

New signing Hugo Ekitike started the scoring for Liverpool in the game that also saw goals from Cody Gakpo, Federico Chiesa and the inevitable Mohamed Salah who scored in stoppage time. Liverpool pounded the Bournemouth goal a whopping 19 times with ten of those shots being on target. Mega signing Florian Wirtz had a quiet debut but expect the German to come out all guns blazing in this fixture. Meanwhile, Newcastle United will need to reassess their attacking plans with Isak once again not in the mix.

The Magpies were short of ideas in the Aston Villa clash and cannot afford to be clueless against the Premier League champions.

Last five head-to-head matches in Premier League (recent first)

Liverpool 2 Newcastle United 0

Newcastle United 3 Liverpool 3

Liverpool 4 Newcastle United 2

Newcastle United 1 Liverpool 2

Newcastle United 0 Liverpool 2

Goals galore

Four of the last five Premier League games between the two sides have seen three or more goals scored in the game. However, in two of those games, Newcastle failed to score. Meanwhile, Liverpool's last five games (including friendlies) have been extremely high-scoring with four or more goals scored in all of these games. On the other hand, the last five games involving Newcastle United have produced a cumulative of just nine goals!

Against Liverpool, though, it is unlikely to see a timid Newcastle approach as that will surely backfire for the Magpies against the defending champions. There will be more intent, although precision will be lacking in Isak's absence.

Arne Slot's side should have enough firepower to coast to a win even with minor defensive vulnerabilities in the equation.