Andoni Iraola’s rebuilding work at Liverpool has reached a new stage. Three academy products made their first competitive appearances in Saturday’s 2-2 Premier League draw with Newcastle United. This update, from 26 September 2026, tracks where the Iraola Liverpool project stands. It has moved from planning to proof.
Jeremy Jacquet, Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo all featured against Newcastle. Each played a different role in a game that ended level. Attention now turns to Forest. Iraola will explain how he rates their impact before that match.
Latest Iraola updates on Liverpool debutants
Three Liverpool players made their competitive debuts in the 2-2 draw at Newcastle. It was a big step. Iraola has been quietly reshaping this squad since he took charge, and these debuts show early signs of that work paying off.
The trio arrived at different points in the match. One started, one changed the game from the bench, and one helped close it out. Between them, they covered every phase of a tight draw.
How new signings made their mark against Newcastle
Jacquet started alongside Virgil van Dijk. He led the backline throughout the match, a clear show of faith from Iraola given the occasion. He held firm through a tough afternoon against a physical Newcastle side.
Munoz came on as a second-half substitute and made an instant impact. He won the penalty that Dominik Szoboszlai converted. It was a crucial contribution, in a match where goals were hard to find.
Araujo was introduced late as Liverpool looked to see the game out. His cameo brought composure at the back. The visitors held on for a point.
Iraola Liverpool assessment ahead of Forest fixture
Iraola has praised Jeremy Jacquet’s Newcastle display ahead of the Forest game. He singled it out as one of the highlights of the draw, a clear signal the young defender has forced his way into the manager’s plans.
The manager’s comments point to wider satisfaction with how the newcomers handled their chance. He also referenced Munoz’s penalty-winning moment and Araujo’s late introduction as further evidence of the club’s growing depth. On a hard afternoon at St James’ Park, none of the three looked out of place.
What happens next for Iraola’s squad
Nottingham Forest are next, and Iraola faces selection calls after the Newcastle debuts. Jacquet’s display strengthens his case for a regular starting role. Munoz and Araujo, meanwhile, have both shown they can change a game from the bench. For the Iraola Liverpool project, that kind of bench impact is exactly what the summer rebuild was meant to deliver.
The draw follows a promising run of form, including our earlier report on a Carabao Cup win over Tottenham. Iraola’s fuller reaction to the debuts sits in the original article on Iraola’s reaction.
