Alexander Isak faced chants of ‘rat, rat, rat’ as he got off the Liverpool bus and entered St James’ Park.

The Reds striker of course left the Magpies in messy circumstances last summer.

In another world, Andoni Iraola would be in the Newcastle dugout this afternoon making his bow as Eddie Howe’s successor. The Spaniard was said to be targeted by the Magpies towards the end of last season.

Instead, he’s with the opposition, carrying the Liverpool torch from Arne Slot.

Here’s Richard Jolly inside St James’ Park:

Alexander Isak leads the line on his return to St James’ Park, preparing to assume the role of public enemy number one at his former stomping grounds.

Jeremy Jacquet also makes a debut in the centre of defence alongside captain Virgil Van Dijk, while there’s a start for young starlet Rio Ngumoha ahead of fellow new boy Victor Munoz.

Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.

Newcastle new boy Lukas Hornicek starts in between the sticks while Amar Dedic and Sean Steur also make their Premier League debuts.

Yoane Wissa is preferred to Nick Woltemade up front.

Newcastle XI: Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Steur, Miley; Elanga, Osula, Barnes; Wissa.

Just a couple minutes until team news is confirmed for both sides - we’ll bring it to you as it comes in...

Something much greater is attached to this Premier League curtain-raiser than simply starting the season well.

This afternoon’s meeting at St James’ Park will be preceded by a undoubtedly stirring tribute to Kevin Keegan, a legend of both Liverpool and Newcastle.

A double Ballon d’Or winner, Keegan was most revered for his feats as a manager at Newcastle and as a player at Liverpool, forging a successful career that included three First Division titles, one FA Cup, one European Cup, and two Uefa Cups as well as two Bundesliga titles between the years of 1968 and 1984.

His passing in July following a battle with cancer led to an outpouring of love from the football world, and ‘King Kev’ will be in the minds of all inside the ground today.

Iraola will be without four members of his first-team squad, with Joe Gomez, Hugo Ekitike, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni all sidelined for the first few weeks of the season at least.

Newcastle will only be without two members of the squad, though it is two key members as both Joelinton and Tino Livramento are sidelined.

Newcastle host Liverpool at St James’ Park on Sunday 23 August, with kick-off at 4.30pm BST.

How can I watch it?

Viewers in the UK can watch the match on Sky Sports Main Event, with coverage following Manchester City vs Bournemouth. If you’re not a Sky customer, you can grab a NOWTV Day Pass here to watch without a subscription.