Andoni Iraola takes charge of his first competitive match as Liverpool manager on Sunday, as the Reds travel to face Newcastle United. The fixture marks Alexander Isak's first return to St James' Park since his move from the Magpies.
Summer of change at Anfield
Liverpool have had a quiet summer transfer window and have yet to replace Mohamed Salah, who left as a free agent. Andy Robertson and Ibrahima Konate also departed on free transfers in an offseason of significant change.
Newcastle, under Matthias Jaissle, have also undergone a huge squad overhaul. Captain Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Kieran Trippier have all left as the club enters a new era.
Predicted starting XI
Alisson is expected to start in goal ahead of Giorgi Mamardashvili. The Brazilian kept only eight Premier League clean sheets last season. Liverpool have conceded six goals across their last three trips to St James' Park.
In defence, Milos Kerkez starts at left-back, with Jeremie Frimpong at right-back as Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez are injured. New signings Ronald Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet both played 45 minutes in the friendly against Como at Anfield last weekend, with Jacquet impressing in the first half and expected to partner captain Virgil van Dijk.
Midfield and attack
Alexis Mac Allister returned to pre-season late after playing in the World Cup final with Argentina. Trey Nyoni impressed in pre-season but is not expected to start, with Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch selected in midfield. Curtis Jones will not be in the squad as he completes his £34million move to Inter Milan.
Florian Wirtz, still looking to justify his £116m fee, will support £125m striker Alexander Isak, who makes his first return to St James' since forcing a move to Liverpool. Cody Gakpo could play what is potentially his final match for the club, with Liverpool wanting Bradley Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain and Tottenham interested in the Dutchman. Rio Ngumoha is set to start on the right, with summer arrival Victor Munoz a possible replacement after an hour.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Newcastle in full: Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak. Predicted bench: Mamardashvili, Araujo, Tsimikas, Endo, Mac Allister, Nyoni, Elliott, Chiesa, Munoz.
