Andoni Iraola's dream XI to face Newcastle as £204million debutants start including Yan Diomande
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Liverpool will take on Newcastle on the opening weekend of the Premier League season in what will be Andoni Iraola's first competitive game as bossLiverpool will face Newcastle on the opening day of the 2026/2027 Premier League and all eyes will be on Andoni Iraola's first XI. The transfer window, however, doesn't close until Tuesday, September 1, meaning the first XI Iraola deploys on the opening weekend may not be the one he takes into the season.Liverpool have secured the services of Spanish international Victor Munoz so far with more incomings expected.
With that in mind, the ECHO takes a look at what the Spanish manager's first competitive first XI for the Reds could look like.Iraola to inject new life into the back fourAlisson, 33, is expected to depart after his contract expires next season, but he will take his place in between the sticks for one final season under Iraola. His budget-friendly transfer fee of around £25m could also appeal to Iraola.On the other side, Milos Kerkez will drop in at left-back and can only benefit from linking up with Iraola once again following their time together at Bournemouth.A midfield conundrumWhile the Reds have been linked with the likes of Crystal Palace's Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest star Elliott Anderson, Iraola has an ideal No.
Alexis Mac Allister, if he stays this season, should settle for a place on the bench.The Reds' midfield may be overhauled in the near future, but with little time between the World Cup ending and the opening weekend of the Premier League, Iraola will need a functioning midfield that knows each other well.An introduction of paceUp front speaks for itself. The Reds sorely lacked pace on the flanks this season and with the departure of Mohamed Salah, both Diomande and Munoz will give Iraola a versatility and energy in attack not seen at Anfield in some time.Liverpool's possible XI on Premier League opening day: Alisson, Kerkez, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Costa; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Diomande, Munoz, Isak.FOLLOW OUR LIVERPOOL FC FACEBOOK PAGE!