Jeremy Jacquet will make his Premier League debut for Liverpool against Newcastle United at St James' Park this afternoon. The French defender starts alongside captain Virgil van Dijk in central defence as the Reds begin a new era under head coach Andoni Iraola.
Defensive reshuffle
With Joe Gomez sidelined by an injury sustained in pre-season and Giovanni Leoni a long-term absentee, Iraola had to choose between Ronald Araujo and Jacquet as Van Dijk's partner. Both players featured for 45 minutes in the final summer friendly against Como, with Jacquet scoring on his Anfield bow shortly before half-time.
Jacquet had 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. Despite this, Iraola has deemed the summer arrival fit enough to start, with Araujo, who has previous experience of the St James' Park atmosphere, named on the bench.
Team news and absentees
Alisson starts in goal behind a back five completed by Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez. Ryan Gravenberch partners Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield, with teenager Trey Nyoni, who impressed in pre-season, not in the starting line-up.
Alexis Mac Allister, who has played just 54 minutes for the Reds this summer following an extended post-World Cup holiday, is on the bench. 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 start out wide, with Florian Wirtz in the No10 role. Victor Munoz will hope to come off the bench for his debut.
Alexander Isak leads the line on 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. Injured players include Ekitike, Bradley, Leoni, Gomez and Endo.
Liverpool XI (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak. Kick-off is at 4.30pm BST on Sunday August 23, 2026, at St James' Park, with the match broadcast on Sky Sports.
