Newcastle United could overtake Liverpool next season. It’s not a certainty—but it’s a real possibility.
Image credit: Premier League
Newcastle United’s recent victory over Liverpool has sparked discussions about their potential rise in the Premier League.
While some might dismiss this as an overreaction, a closer look at both teams’ trajectories suggests that Newcastle could surpass Liverpool in the 2025/26 season.
However, it’s important to emphasize that this is a possibility, not a guarantee.
Here’s why Newcastle United could be set for a breakthrough while Liverpool may struggle to maintain their current level.
1. Liverpool’s Strengths and Potential Decline
A. Liverpool’s Current Squad
Liverpool have been a strong team this season, demonstrating consistency and squad depth.
Liverpool v Newcastle United, Carabao Cup Final, Wembley Stadium, 16/03/2025 – Frankie O’Keeffe / @ppauk pic.twitter.com/jdsqGpjAst
— Frankie O’Keeffe (@FrankieOKeeffe) March 17, 2025
Their ability to rotate between quality players in midfield and attack has been a key factor in their success.
However, despite their solid performances, they have not displayed the brilliance of their 2018/19 and 2019/20 campaigns.
B. Key Players Potentially Leaving
The future of Liverpool’s three world-class players—Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk, and Trent Alexander-Arnold—is uncertain.
Salah (33 next season) and Van Dijk (34 next season) are approaching the later stages of their careers. Even if Liverpool renew their contracts, their peak years may be behind them.
Alexander-Arnold is widely rumored to be heading to Real Madrid, potentially leaving Liverpool without their best playmaker from deep.
If these three leave as free agents in June 2025, Liverpool will receive no transfer fees, making a rebuild significantly harder.
C. A False Sense of Improvement?
Liverpool’s current success has been helped by the struggles of Manchester City and Arsenal rather than their own drastic improvement.
In 2023/24, Liverpool finished nine points behind City and seven behind Arsenal. This season, they are 22 points ahead of City and 12 ahead of Arsenal.
City’s struggles without Rodri and Arsenal’s dips in form have contributed to Liverpool’s rise, rather than them becoming an elite force again.
Their Champions League campaign was strong, but their knockout defeat to PSG exposed their limitations.
With an ageing squad and key departures looming, Liverpool could struggle to sustain their dominance.
2. Newcastle United’s Growth and Stability
A. Key Players Under Long-Term Contracts
Unlike Liverpool, Newcastle’s best players—Bruno Guimarães, Sven Botman, Alexander Isak, Joelinton, and Sandro Tonali—are all secured with long-term contracts.
This means Newcastle control their future and will only lose players if they decide to sell, likely at premium prices.
This level of squad security provides stability for long-term success.
B. Overcoming Financial and Injury Setbacks
Newcastle has faced severe injury issues over the past two seasons, along with Financial Fair Play (FFP) constraints that prevented them from making major signings.
2023/24 season: Their injury crisis and Tonali’s suspension disrupted their momentum.
FFP restrictions: Limited their ability to strengthen the squad in previous transfer windows.
Summer 2025: With FFP restrictions easing and additional funds available, Newcastle will finally have the chance to reinforce their squad significantly.
C. A Competitive Edge Over Liverpool?
With strategic recruitment, Newcastle can build a squad capable of surpassing Liverpool, especially if Liverpool struggle to replace their departing stars.
Defensively: Would you swap Livramento and Hall for Liverpool’s ageing full-backs?
Newcastle win their first major trophy in 70 years.
Image credit: Newcastle United
Attack: Is Isak a better long-term option than Liverpool’s forward line without Salah?
Midfield: Bruno, Tonali, and Joelinton could be as strong as, if not better than, Liverpool’s midfield trio.
With a stable squad, young talents reaching their peak, and room for summer reinforcements, Newcastle United could emerge as a stronger side than Liverpool next season.
3. A Changing Premier League Landscape
The Premier League is becoming increasingly competitive, with clubs like Aston Villa, Tottenham, and Newcastle closing the gap on traditional powerhouses.
Liverpool’s rebuild will take time, and they may experience a dip in performance.
Newcastle’s squad is growing in strength and could capitalize on this transitional period.
Arsenal and Man City will likely bounce back, making Liverpool’s task even harder.
If Newcastle continue their upward trajectory under Eddie Howe, strengthen wisely in the summer, and be fortunate with injuries, there is every reason to believe they could finish above Liverpool in the 2025/26 season.
Conclusion
Liverpool have been a formidable force in recent years, but cracks are appearing. Newcastle, on the other hand, are building towards something special.
