Liverpool’s all-time Premier League opening day record as Andoni Iraola aims to extend 14-year streak vs Newcastle
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Liverpool face Newcastle in the first game of their 2026/27 Premier League season on Sunday, with the Andoni Iraola era beginning in earnest.It is not the easiest of starts for Iraola, despite the Magpies’ difficult summer, but he should be confident of a win nonetheless.History is certainly on Liverpool‘s side, given they have not lost at St James’ Park since 2015, and have won six of their last eight visits to the stadium. Along with a stellar past away at Newcastle, the Reds also have a very good record on the Premier League‘s opening day since the competition was founded in 1992.
Give us your expectations for Andoni Iraola's first season at Anfield Credit: Getty Images/Geoff Stellfox Liverpool have not lost on opening day since 2012As last season proved beyond doubt, how you start a Premier League season does not define the year you will have. Liverpool won their opening five fixtures before enduring one of their worst campaigns in recent memory.Nevertheless, it helps to get off to a winning start, and that is something Liverpool have done in 20 of their 36 seasons in the Premier League.They are currently on a run of taking three points from two consecutive openers, after Arne Slot won both of his first matches of the season, 3-0 away at Ipswich before a rollercoaster 4-2 win against the man who eventually replaced him in the Anfield dugout last season.Though they drew Jurgen Klopp’s final two opening games – 2-2 and 1-1 away at Fulham and Chelsea respectively – Liverpool are actually now unbeaten in their last 13 curtain raisers.READ MORE: How Liverpool’s squad to start the 2026/27 Premier League season compares with last year is startlingThe Reds have won 10 and drawn three since a dismal 3-0 defeat against West Bromwich Albion in 2012.
They were also beaten 2-1 by Tottenham in 2009, 2-1 against Chelsea in 2003 and 1-0 to Nottingham Forest in their first ever Premier League fixture.Crucially, all four of Liverpool’s defeats to date have come away from Anfield, in what could be a positive omen for Newcastle.Overall, the Reds have started their Premier League campaign with a win on 20 occasions, drawing 10 times and losing four.What have been Liverpool’s biggest wins? With new signings on show and the sun usually beating down, the first game of the Premier League season is always exciting.The action on the pitch can often reflect that, as teams go toe-to-toe to give themselves a platform for the campaign.Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty ImagesIn Liverpool’s case, they have been involved in some brilliant opening day matches, with the 4-3 wins over Arsenal (2016) and Leeds (2020) equalling the record for goals scored.There they join the 6-1 win over Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park in 1994, which remains both the highest number of goals Liverpool have scored on the first game of the Premier League season, and the biggest winning margin.The Reds scored three or more goals in six consecutive opening days under Klopp (2016-2021) and have now done the same in each of the last two.There is a long history for Iraola to join here, and though Newcastle away is always a difficult fixture for any visiting team, the raft of changes at St James’ Park mean the new Reds head coach should be confident of adding another positive result on Sunday.Join Our NewsletterReceive a digest of our best Liverpool content each week direct to your mailbox