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Liverpool Predicted XI vs Newcastle: Ronald Araujo Set for Debut as Andoni Iraola Begins New Era

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.

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.

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.

Alexander Isak return adds edge

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.

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.