Liverpool will face Newcastle on the opening day of the 2026/27 Premier League season, with Andoni Iraola set to name his first competitive starting XI. The match is scheduled for Sunday, August 23, at St James' Park, while the transfer window remains open until September 1.
Defensive Overhaul
Alisson, 33, is expected to remain in goal for one final campaign before his contract expires. The back four could see significant changes. Giovanni Leoni, 19, who arrived from Parma for £26m last summer, is recovering from an ACL injury and pushing for a starting berth.
French centre-back Jeremy Jacquet, signed from Rennes in January for £60m, is tipped to partner captain Virgil van Dijk. At right-back, Conor Bradley, 22, merits an opportunity after an extended absence, but Porto's Alberto Costa, valued at around £25m, could provide competition. On the left, Milos Kerkez will slot in, reuniting with Iraola after their time at Bournemouth.
Midfield Conundrum
Iraola has a perfect No. 6 in Ryan Gravenberch, who impressed at the World Cup despite a difficult season. He will operate alongside Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, who will have freedom to roam. Alexis Mac Allister, if he stays, may have to accept a bench role.
Attack: Pace and Power
Up front, the partnership of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak is yet to click due to injuries. Ekitike is recovering from a ruptured Achilles, leaving Isak to lead the attack and justify his £125m price tag. Flanking him will be Yan Diomande, expected to cost around £85m from RB Leipzig, and Spanish international Victor Munoz, already signed for £34.5m.
Liverpool lacked width and pace last season, and with Mohamed Salah's departure, Diomande and Munoz offer dynamism and versatility. Iraola's predicted XI: Alisson; Kerkez, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Costa; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Diomande, Munoz, Isak.
