Liverpool’s team news for the opening weekend of the Premier League season is now confirmed. This update reflects the picture as of 17 September 2026. Andoni Iraola has named his first competitive lineup since taking charge at Anfield. He sends out a starting XI away to Newcastle United that will be familiar to anyone who watched the final preseason friendly.
Liverpool lineup updated for Newcastle opener
Iraola has opted for continuity rather than a fresh start. The manager has kept faith with the group that started Liverpool’s last warm-up match against Como. He has resisted the temptation to make wholesale changes for his competitive bow.
That consistency gives supporters a clear early signal of how Iraola wants his side to line up. There is no experimental formation and no surprise absentee among the senior players expected to feature at St James’ Park.
Confirmed Liverpool XI at St James’ Park
The headline news is defensive. Jeremy Jacquet is handed his Premier League debut, starting in defence alongside Virgil van Dijk. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez complete the back line.
In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai retain their places. Further forward, Rio Ngumoha starts on the right of the attack and Florian Wirtz operates centrally. Cody Gakpo keeps his spot up front despite continued transfer speculation linking him with Tottenham Hotspur, and Alexander Isak leads the line.
- Goalkeeper: Alisson Becker
- Defence: Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez
- Midfield: Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai
- Attack: Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo, Alexander Isak
Gakpo’s inclusion is notable given the reported interest from Spurs. There is nothing in Iraola’s selection, though, to suggest the winger’s focus is anywhere other than on the pitch this weekend.
Newcastle vs Liverpool lineups in full
Liverpool’s confirmed XI at St James’ Park is: Alisson Becker; Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, Milos Kerkez; Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai; Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo; Alexander Isak. That is the full, official Liverpool selection for the fixture. It matches the group that finished the preseason programme against Como.
Newcastle’s own starting XI has not been part of the confirmed team news covered here. This update focuses on what is verified: Liverpool’s lineup and bench. Readers searching for the host club’s selection should treat any Newcastle-specific claims as separate from the confirmed Liverpool details above until officially announced.
On the Liverpool bench, Iraola has named Trey Nyoni, James McConnell and Lewis Koumas among the substitute options. Ronald Araujo and Victor Munoz are also included. Both could make their Premier League debuts if introduced during the match, though neither is guaranteed game time.
What happens next for Iraola’s side
Jacquet’s debut is the standout story of the afternoon. It thrusts a new face into the back line for Iraola’s first competitive test. How he copes at St James’ Park will shape early impressions of the manager’s defensive planning for the season.
The bench also carries real intrigue. If Araujo or Munoz come on, both will earn their first taste of Premier League football. That would add to a squad already blending established names with fresh faces under the new head coach.
Attention will then turn quickly to the fixtures that follow, including Liverpool’s continuing progress in this season’s competitions. Supporters can find upcoming European coverage details for the next stage of that campaign. The club’s pursuit of previous Premier League milestones remains a talking point as the season develops. For the background to today’s confirmed selection, the original confirmed lineup report carries the initial team news as it broke.
For now, the confirmed picture is straightforward. Iraola has trusted his preseason plan and Jacquet is in from the start. Ngumoha and Gakpo keep their attacking roles, and a strong group of debut candidates waits on the bench at St James’ Park.
