Andoni Iraola’s first Liverpool XI: the possible line-up for Newcastle, with £204m of new arrivals

Liverpool’s opening match of the 2026/27 Premier League season is a useful early test of what Andoni Iraola wants to build. The Reds visit Eddie Howe’s Newcastle on Sunday, August 23, and the biggest question is which new signings will be ready to start.

The transfer window stays open until Tuesday, September 1, so Iraola’s team for the opener may be a temporary picture of Liverpool’s plans. That’s more significant than it looks: early-season selections can show who the new manager trusts, even while recruitment is still underway.

Liverpool have already brought in Spanish international Victor Munoz, with further arrivals expected after last summer’s reported £204 million spending spree. Iraola may need to be selective in the market. Here’s a projected first competitive XI for the Reds, rather than a settled forecast of how the season will unfold. The Newcastle opener will also be Iraola’s first game in charge.

A new look at the back

Alisson, 33, is expected to leave when his contract expires next season, but the goalkeeper is set to remain between the posts for one final campaign under Iraola. The defence could see more change: 19-year-old Giovanni Leoni, signed from Parma for £26 million last summer, will be pushing for a place as he works back from an ACL injury.

New Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola. (Image: Catherine Ivill - AMA, Getty Images)

Jeremy Jacquet of Rennes during the Ligue 1 McDonald's football match between Paris FC and Stade Rennais FC (Rennes) at Stade Jean Bouin on November 7, 2025 in Paris, France

Munoz is the only confirmed arrival mentioned so far, and the available details don’t establish which other newcomers could feature against Newcastle. The £204 million figure points to the scale of Liverpool’s previous summer spend; it doesn’t, by itself, tell us how much room Iraola has left to reshape the squad.

Defence built around Jacquet

Liverpool’s projected back line reflects a bet on youth and familiarity. Jeremy Jacquet, signed from Rennes in January for £60m, is tipped to partner captain Virgil van Dijk at centre-back. [The deal](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/breaking-liverpool-complete-60m-jeremy-33347516) sets a high bar for the French defender, but the plan is clear: make him central to the defence from the outset. Conor Bradley, 22, should get the chance to establish himself at right-back when he returns from his long injury lay-off. Until then, Porto’s Alberto Costa is a plausible target. He has supplied assists, brings a combative edge, and could cost around £25m. That fee may appeal to Iraola, while Costa’s arrival would put Jeremie Frimpong under pressure for the spot. Milos Kerkez is expected to start on the left. His previous work with Iraola at Bournemouth gives them a useful point of familiarity.

Keep the midfield settled

Liverpool have been linked with Crystal Palace’s Adam Wharton and Nottingham Forest’s Elliott Anderson, but the proposed setup already has a No. 6: Ryan Gravenberch. His form dipped this season, though several Liverpool players had difficult campaigns; his performances at the World Cup have offered a reminder of what he can bring. The suggested midfield pairs him with Dominik Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz, with the latter two given room to roam. Alexis Mac Allister would be left on the bench if he stays. That’s a bold call, and it leaves little room for error. But with the World Cup ending shortly before the Premier League’s opening weekend, a midfield that already understands one another could matter more than another summer signing.

More speed in attack

The pairing of Hugo Ekitike and Alexander Isak has yet to click, with injuries keeping them apart. Ekitike is recovering from a ruptured Achilles, so Isak may have to lead the line alone for now—and start justifying his £125m price tag. [His latest situation](https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/liverpool-alexander-isak-newcastle-latest-34151169) adds another question mark to an attack that needs to find its rhythm. Yan Diomande, projected to arrive from RB Leipzig for about £85m, and Munoz would offer pace and flexibility out wide. Liverpool lacked speed on the flanks this season, and Mohamed Salah’s departure makes that weakness harder to ignore. The proposed fix is expensive, and it’s not yet clear how quickly the new group would gel. Still, adding two quick wide players would change the shape of the attack. Possible Liverpool XI for the Premier League opener: Alisson; Kerkez, Van Dijk, Jacquet, Costa; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Diomande, Munoz, Isak.Follow our Liverpool FC Facebook page:the Liverpool Echo’s dedicated LFC page for news and analysis from Anfield.