Headline: Liverpool Prepares for Season Opener Against Newcastle with Defensive Uncertainty
Liverpool travels to St. James’ Park on Sunday for their first competitive match under head coach Andoni Iraola. The team faces several absentees and a key selection dilemma in central defense.
Ronald Araujo is anticipated to make his debut for Liverpool against Newcastle. Following Joe Gomez’s injury during pre-season and long-term absence of Giovanni Leoni, Iraola now has just two senior options to pair with Virgil van Dijk: Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet.
Jacquet impressed in his last friendly against Como, scoring during his debut at Anfield and playing for 45 minutes. However, his recent shoulder surgery at Rennes in February and fitness struggles throughout pre-season raise concerns about starting him in such a challenging environment. Araujo is considered the more reliable choice.
Nonetheless, this does not guarantee success; it simply reflects a prudent selection. Araujo has experience in high-pressure situations, and opening the season at one of the league’s toughest venues adds to the challenge. While Newcastle has faced difficulties this summer, this will have little impact once the match kicks off.
The rest of the lineup appears straightforward. Alisson continues as the first-choice goalkeeper, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez likely to take the full-back positions. In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch is expected to start alongside Dominik Szoboszlai. Although Trey Nyoni showed promise during pre-season, the upcoming match represents a significant step up in competition.
Curtis Jones will be absent as he nears a transfer to Inter Milan, and Alexis Mac Allister’s limited playing time following an extended break makes his inclusion in the starting XI unlikely.
Offensively, Liverpool finds itself in need of last-minute transfer aids. Without any signs of Bradley Barcola or Ibrahim Mbaye arriving before the registration deadline, Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo are likely to start on the wings, with Florian Wirtz positioned in a central role.
The spotlight will be on Alexander Isak as he returns to Newcastle for the first time since his £125 million transfer to Liverpool last summer. Fans are expected to give him a hostile welcome, considering the circumstances surrounding his move.
Liverpool’s Predicted XI Against Newcastle:
- Alisson, Frimpong, Araujo, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak
Injuries: Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Leoni, Gomez
Doubts: Wataru Endo
Kick-off is scheduled for 4:30 PM BST on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at St. James’ Park. For Liverpool, the start of this new era presents a tough away challenge with a defense that seems largely predetermined. Team news and selection updates have been widely circulated ahead of the weekend match.
Liverpool head to St James’ Park on Sunday with a new head coach, a few absentees and one obvious selection issue. Andoni Iraola’s first competitive game is here, and the main call is in central defence.
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Ronald Araujo looks set to make his Liverpool debut against Newcastle. With Joe Gomez injured in pre-season and Giovanni Leoni out for the long term, Iraola is down to two senior options to partner Virgil van Dijk, Araujo and Jeremy Jacquet.
Jacquet did himself no harm in the final friendly against Como, scoring on his Anfield debut and getting 45 minutes into his legs. Still, context matters. He had shoulder surgery at Rennes in February, missed plenty of football and had fitness issues through pre-season. Throwing him straight into St James’ Park from the start would be a risk. Araujo is the safer pick.
That does not mean guaranteed success. It means a more sensible choice. He has dealt with big atmospheres before and Liverpool are opening away at one of the toughest grounds in the league. Newcastle may have had a difficult summer, but that changes little once the game starts.
Photo: IMAGO
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Araujo and Van Dijk likely to start
The rest of the side is fairly straightforward. Alisson remains the clear No 1, with Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez expected to fill the full-back roles. In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch should start with Dominik Szoboszlai. Trey Nyoni made a decent case in pre-season, but this is a different level.
Curtis Jones will not be involved as he closes in on a move to Inter Milan. Alexis Mac Allister has managed only 54 minutes this summer after an extended post-World Cup break, so a start looks unlikely.
Further forward, Liverpool look short of late transfer help. With no sign that Bradley Barcola or Ibrahim Mbaye will arrive before the registration deadline, Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo are expected to start wide, with Florian Wirtz in the No 10 role.
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Up front, the focus will be on Alexander Isak. His first return to Newcastle since his £125 million move to Liverpool last summer is unlikely to be friendly. He is expected to get a hostile reception, and that is no surprise given how the transfer unfolded.
Liverpool predicted XI vs Newcastle
Predicted XI: Alisson, Frimpong, Araujo, Van Dijk, Kerkez, Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo, Isak
Injured: Ekitike, Conor Bradley, Leoni, Gomez
Doubts: Wataru Endo
Kick-off is at 4.30pm BST on Sunday, August 23, 2026, at St James’ Park. For Liverpool, the new era starts with a hard away game and a defence that more or less picks itself.
Team news details have been widely reported ahead of the weekend, including latest Liverpool selection updates.
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