1. Main Players Comparison

Newcastle

Core: Dan Burn (37 apps, 3330 mins, 1G, 1A), Fabian Schär (34 apps, 2938 mins, 4G), Tino Livramento (37 apps, 2842 mins).
Midfield: Bruno Guimarães (38 apps, 3286 mins, 5G, 6A), Sandro Tonali (36 apps, 2632 mins, 4G, 2A), Joelinton (29 apps, 2405 mins, 4G, 3A).
Attack: Alexander Isak (34 apps, 2774 mins, 23G, 6A – unavailable due to transfer conflict), Anthony Gordon (34 apps, 2447 mins, 6G, 5A), Jacob Murphy (35 apps, 2380 mins, 12A, 8G), Harvey Barnes (33 apps, 1756 mins, 9G, 4A).
Output: ~55 goals, ~40 assists across main players.
Stability: The loss of Isak is a massive blow, removing their top scorer. Creativity remains with Murphy and Guimarães, but finishing will be heavily reliant on Gordon, Barnes, and Callum Wilson (bench).

Liverpool

Core: Virgil van Dijk (37 apps, 3330 mins, 1G, 3A), Ibrahima Konaté (31 apps, 2567 mins, 2G, 1A), Andy Robertson (33 apps, 2493 mins, 1A).
Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch (37 apps, 3169 mins, 4G), Alexis Mac Allister (35 apps, 2608 mins, 5G, 5A), Dominik Szoboszlai (36 apps, 2496 mins, 6G, 6A).
Attack: Mohamed Salah (38 apps, 3380 mins, 29G, 18A), Luis Díaz (36 apps, 2413 mins, 13G, 5A), Cody Gakpo (35 apps, 1939 mins, 10G, 4A), Florian Wirtz (31 apps, 2357 mins, 10G, 12A), Hugo Ekitiké (33 apps, 2582 mins, 15G, 8A).
Output: ~88 goals, ~60 assists across main players.
Stability: Liverpool’s front line is overflowing with scorers and creators. Even without Frimpong and Bajcetic, the squad remains balanced and potent.

Verdict: Newcastle lose their spearhead in Isak, while Liverpool have a stacked, multi-faceted attack. Advantage Liverpool.

2. New Players Comparison

Newcastle: Aaron Ramsdale (GK – 30 apps, 2700 mins, strong EPL reliability), Malick Thiaw (DC – 1803 mins, stabilizing presence), Anthony Elanga (38 apps, 6G, 11A – direct runner, adds dynamism). Impactful recruits, but goal replacement for Isak is absent.
Liverpool: Giorgi Mamardashvili (GK – 34 apps, 3060 mins), Florian Wirtz (10G, 12A – world-class creator), Jeremie Frimpong (2328 mins, 5G, 5A – but injured), Hugo Ekitiké (15G, 8A). Heavyweights signed, most delivering elite output.

Verdict: Liverpool’s new arrivals (Wirtz, Ekitiké) transform their frontline explosiveness; Newcastle’s signings are stabilizing but not game-changing.

3. Substitutes Comparison

Newcastle: Barnes (9G, 4A), Kieran Trippier (1310 mins, 3A), Callum Wilson (18 apps, 358 mins – low involvement, 0G). Depth limited, especially without Isak.
Liverpool: Darwin Núñez (30 apps, 1123 mins, 5G, 2A), Curtis Jones (33 apps, 1715 mins, 3G, 3A), Kostas Tsimikas (18 apps, 835 mins, 1A). Stronger rotation players, capable of changing games.

Verdict: Liverpool have superior bench influence both in attack (Núñez) and midfield (Jones).

4. Consolidated Quality Scorecard

5. Injuries & Suspensions (with impact)

Newcastle:
- Alexander Isak: (34 apps, 2774 mins, 23G, 6A) – Out of squad (transfer conflict). Impact: Losing talismanic scorer, catastrophic blow to attack.
- Joseph Willock: (32 apps, 1077 mins, 2A) – Ankle injury, doubtful. Impact: Rotation midfielder, minor creativity loss.

Liverpool:
- Jeremie Frimpong: (33 apps, 2328 mins, 5G, 5A) – Hamstring, mid-September. Impact: Dynamic wing-back threat lost, creativity dip.
- Conor Bradley: (21 apps, 750 mins, 2A) – Muscle injury. Impact: Depth at RB limited.
- Stefan Bajcetic: (squad rotation, few mins) – Hamstring, out late August. Minimal impact.

6. Predicted Outcome

Momentum & Depth: Liverpool enter with a stacked attack and midfield balance, Newcastle handicapped by Isak’s absence.
Tactical Outlook: Expect Liverpool to dominate possession and chance creation. Newcastle may play compact, relying on Murphy, Gordon, and Barnes in transitions.
Late Game: Liverpool’s bench depth (Núñez, Jones) far outweighs Newcastle’s options.

Likely Result: Newcastle 1 – 3 Liverpool