Ronald Araujo is set to make his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday. The Reds begin a new era under Andoni Iraola, with the biggest decision for the Spanish head coach being who partners captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence.
Defensive options and fitness concerns
With Joe Gomez sidelined by an injury sustained in pre-season and Giovanni Leoni a long-term absentee, Araujo and fellow summer arrival Jeremy Jacquet are the two other senior options available to Iraola. Both players featured for 45 minutes in the final summer friendly against Como last weekend, with Jacquet scoring on his Anfield debut shortly before half-time.
However, Jacquet struggled with fitness throughout pre-season and has lacked game time over the past six months after undergoing shoulder surgery while at former club Rennes in February. Iraola may therefore adopt a cautious approach, with Araujo holding the advantage of previous experience of the St James' Park atmosphere.
Likely starting lineup
The rest of the team largely picks itself, with Alisson, Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez completing the back five. Ryan Gravenberch should start alongside Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield, despite teenager Trey Nyoni impressing in pre-season.
Alexis Mac Allister has played just 54 minutes for the Reds this summer following an extended post-World Cup holiday and is unlikely to start, while Curtis Jones has joined Inter Milan. With Liverpool yet to sign either Bradley Barcola or Ibrahim Mbaye amid ongoing talks over Yankuba Minteh, Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo are expected to start out wide, with Florian Wirtz taking the No.10 role. Victor Munoz will hope to come off the bench for his debut.
Isak's return to Tyneside
Up front, Alexander Isak makes his first return to Newcastle since his British record £125million transfer last summer. He is expected to receive a frosty reception from home supporters on Tyneside over how his move played out.
Predicted Liverpool XI: Alisson; Frimpong, Araujo, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Injured: Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni, Gomez. Doubt: Endo. Kick-off is at 4.30pm BST on Sunday August 23, 2026, at St James' Park, with the match shown live on Sky Sports.
