Phil Noble/Reuters via Imagn Images

Heated Liverpool vs Newcastle Game Sets a Physical Season-High in the 2025-26 Premier League

Originally posted on Athlon Sports | By Kevin Binoy | Last updated Aug 25, 2025 4:30 PM ET

Just two weeks into the new Premier League season and tempers are already flaring. Liverpool, fresh off their title-winning campaign, made the trip to St. James’ Park to face a Newcastle side that finished fifth last year and neither team held back. From the opening whistle, the game turned into a bruising battle, with tackles flying in and challenges coming thick and fast.

The intensity never dipped, and by the end of the 90 minutes, the clash had produced a new season-high record for physicality. Granted, it’s still early days in the campaign, but this was a statement of intent from both sides.

The numbers from Liverpool’s clash with Newcastle tell the story of just how chaotic that first half really was. In the opening 45 minutes alone, there were 19 fouls more than any other first half in the Premier League this season.

This match has already seen more first-half fouls than any other Premier League game this season (16)... and we're only in the 30th minute.
— Opta Analyst (@OptaAnalyst) August 25, 2025

To make matters worse for the home side, Anthony Gordon was shown a red card right before the break, leaving Newcastle down to ten men. As if that wasn’t enough, Ryan Gravenberch found the net just before halftime, extending Liverpool’s incredible scoring streak to 36 league games in a row. Only two teams in Premier League history have ever managed to go longer.

Story of the First Half So Far

Newcastle set up with Harvey Barnes on the left, Anthony Gordon through the middle, and Anthony Elanga on the right, while Liverpool made the surprise call of slotting Dominik Szoboszlai in at right back. From the start, St. James’ Park was rocking, with the home fans roaring at every challenge and throw-in. Newcastle fed off the energy, pressing hard and creating early chances Elanga whipped in a dangerous ball across goal and Gordon nearly scored with a header from a Barnes cross.

Liverpool, on the other hand, were hanging on, struggling to find rhythm and looking second best. But champions have a way of flipping games in an instant, and Ryan Gravenberch did just that in the 35th minute, firing from distance with a shot that took a deflection on its way in. Things got worse for Newcastle just before halftime when Anthony Gordon, already on edge, saw his yellow upgraded to a red after a VAR check.

This article first appeared on Athlon Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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