The Andoni Iraola era officially commences on Sunday when Liverpool journey to Newcastle United for their Premier League opener.
A fixture which has produced countless iconic moments—including Rio Ngumoha’s 100th-minute winner at St James’ Park last season—will deliver the first test of the Spaniard’s reign. During his Bournemouth days, he won three, drew three and lost just one of seven meetings with the Magpies.
With injuries still limiting his selection pool, Iraola’s first competitive lineup appears pretty nailed. At least one of his summer signings will make their first proper start, but there remain question marks over which recruit will partner Virgil van Dijk in the heart of defense.
Here’s how Liverpool could line up on Tyneside.
Liverpool Predicted Lineup vs. Newcastle
GK: Alisson—After the swift dismissal of summer links with Juventus, Alisson starts his ninth consecutive season as Liverpool’s undisputed first-choice between the sticks. However, injuries have restricted him to no more than 35 appearances in each of the past three campaigns.
RB: Jeremie Frimpong—Right back was a cursed position for Liverpool last season and Iraola will hope for greater fortune than his predecessor Arne Slot. With Conor Bradley and Joe Gomez injured, Frimpong will start against Newcastle.
CB: Jérémy Jacquet—The 21-year-old summer signing played his first minutes since February in last weekend’s 2–0 win over Como—and boy did he impress, even scoring on a first Anfield outing. Jacquet’s unlikely to last the whole game, but should start before being replaced by Ronald Araújo.
CB: Virgil van Dijk—Liverpool need their 35-year-old skipper more than ever, with Van Dijk essential in tutoring the next generation of defenders on Merseyside. Jacquet and Giovanni Leoni can learn so much from the Dutchman.
LB: Milos Kerkez—Andy Robertson’s departure for Tottenham Hotspur means Kerkez has the left back role to himself this season. The Hungarian improved as his debut term progressed and will want to continue on his current trajectory.
CM: Ryan Gravenberch—After an exceptional 2024–25 season, Gravenberch’s standards—like those of his teammates—dropped last term. Iraola must regalvanize the influential midfielder.
CM: Dominik Szoboszlai—Szoboszlai had more or less confirmed himself as Liverpool’s Player of the Season by December last year, such was the level of his performances in comparison to his floundering clubmates. He was the beacon of consistency during a tumultuous spell.
RW: Rio Ngumoha—As Liverpool await further attacking reinforcements, potentially in the form of Bradley Barcola, Ibrahim Mbaye and/or Yankuba Minteh, young Ngumoha will be deployed on the right wing. The 17-year-old prefers the left flank, but generally causes havoc no matter where he’s stationed.
AM: Florian Wirtz—An underwhelming debut season is not the end of Wirtz’s Liverpool story. The German is an undeniably gifted technician and should be liberated by Iraola, potentially resulting in a much improved campaign.
LW: Cody Gakpo—Gakpo’s Liverpool future remains slightly uncertain amid interest from Spurs, but reports repeatedly insist the Reds have no intention of selling the Dutchman despite his sub-par 2025–26 season.
ST: Alexander Isak—This is Isak’s first journey back to St James’ Park since his bitter, record-breaking exit last summer. A chorus of boos is likely to greet every touch, but will the gangly Swede be able to silence the jeers?
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