Liverpool team news v Newcastle: Jacquet starts, Mac Allister a sub in Iraola’s first official game
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August 23rd 2026, 15:18 (Photo by Naomi Baker/Getty Images) Andoni Iraola’s reign as Liverpool head coach begins in earnest this afternoon as he takes charge of the Reds in a competitive fixture for the first time, with the Merseysiders beginning their 35th Premier League season away to Newcastle.It’ll be an emotional occasion at St James’ Park as both sets of fans pay tribute to the late, great Kevin Keegan – a legendary figure at these two clubs – who died 34 days ago.Iraola has been hired to mastermind a revival at Anfield after the misery of the 2025/26 campaign, although a mixture of good and bad results in pre-season and a quiet summer transfer window makes it hard to get a read on where exactly Liverpool are at right now.Today’s opponents are also under new management in Matthias Jaissle and have lost some of their standout players from last season (Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimaraes), so an air of uncertainty hangs over both teams going into this fixture.Liverpool starting XI to face NewcastleIraola has named his first starting XI for a competitive fixture as Liverpool head coach.Alisson Becker begins his ninth season with the Reds as the starting goalkeeper, with the similiarly experienced Virgil van Dijk partnered by summer arrival Jeremy Jacquet at centre-back. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez occupy the full-back positions.Dominik Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch start in midfield, with Florian Wirtz in the number 10 role.
Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha are on the flanks, with the latter back at the site of his fairytale Premier League debut, in which he scored a 100th-minute winner this time last year.Also back at St James’ Park is Alexander Isak for his first return to the venue since his tempestuous transfer from Newcastle 12 months ago. No doubt the Swedish marksman will be subjected to a rather hostile reception on Tyneside today.Alexis Mac Allister is among the substitutes, alongside summer signings Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo.
The bench also includes young talents in Trey Nyoni, Lewis Koumas and James McConnell.You can view the Liverpool starting XI and substitutes below, via @LFC on X: The Reds to take on Newcastle in our season opener ✊ #NEWLIV — Liverpool FC (@LFC) August 23, 2026