Liverpool travel to St James’ Park on Sunday evening for Andoni Iraola’s first competitive match in charge of the club, following a summer of considerable transition at Anfield.
Iraola replaces Arne Slot, whose title-winning debut season gave way to a difficult 2025-26 campaign that ended in a fifth-placed finish, 25 points behind champions Arsenal. The Spaniard arrives with a strong reputation built over three progressively improving seasons at Bournemouth, the last of which secured European qualification for the first time in that club’s history.
Liverpool team news
Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni are all sidelined with injury, and Hugo Ekitike is out with an Achilles problem. New signing Jérémy Jacquet is expected to be given his Premier League debut alongside Virgil van Dijk in central defence, having impressed in the pre-season win over Como and scored in that fixture. Fellow new arrival Ronald Araújo, on loan from Barcelona with an option to buy, provides direct competition for that role, and the decision remains one of Iraola’s more closely watched calls heading into the opener.
Alexis Mac Allister managed just 54 pre-season minutes following Argentina’s run to the World Cup final and is unlikely to be risked from the start, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch expected to link midfield instead. The most significant change to the squad this summer is the departure of Mohamed Salah, who left on a free transfer, alongside Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konaté.
Rio Ngumoha is expected to operate on the right of the attack, with Florian Wirtz behind Alexander Isak, who leads the line against the club he left last summer. Cody Gakpo completes the front four on the left. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez continue at full-back, with Alisson Becker in goal.
Liverpool predicted lineup
Liverpool possible starting XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
When will the match kick off?
The Premier League match kicks off at 16:30 BST on Sunday, 23 August 2026.
How to watch Newcastle United vs Liverpool?
The match will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Main Event and Sky Sports Premier League in the UK.
Read more – Spalletti unfazed amid Arsenal interest in Juventus star
See also – Tottenham eye Liverpool winger Cody Gakpo
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