The curtain is set to rise on the 2026/27 season, and it brings a huge wave of change to Anfield. Following the surprising sacking of former head coach Arne Slot,
Liverpool moved quick and decisively to secure their next man in the dugout. OnJune 4, 2026, Andoni Iraola was officially appointed as the Reds new head coach, arriving with a reputation for fearless, high-intensity attacking football during his time at AFC Bournemouth who actually finished within the Europa League places three points behind the Reds which is quite an achievement.
While Slot’s final campaign was deemed underwhelming after a fifth-place finish, Ultimately, they did just enough to secure a Champions League qualifying spot for the upcoming season, joining domestic champions Arsenal, Manchester City, rivals Manchester United, and the newly crowned 2026 Europa League winners Aston Villa. Under Iraola’s guidance, the objective is crystal clear: prove last year was a blip and wrestle the Premier League crown back from North London.
But there is going to be a few tough fixtures to start the campaign and here is how I think it will unfold.
The ultimate scriptwriter’s opener: St James Park
If neutral fans could have hand-picked Liverpool’s opening fixture of the campaign, they couldn’t have scripted it any better than this.
The Reds travel to face Newcastle United on the Sunday 23rd August at 16:30 (BST) in an opening-day blockbuster that is already stemmed with plenty of story-lines.
The immediate storyline centre’s around the dramatic summer transfer saga of Spain international Víctor Muñoz. Newcastle appeared to be in pole position to land the breakout star, but Liverpool hijacked the deal by triggering the €40 million (£34m) release clause in Muñoz’s contract and the left winger is Ireola first signing of a new era on Merseyside but let’s be honest this isn’t the first time these two clubs have come head-to-head in transfer dealings..
Many supporters will still have fresh memory of the Alexander Isak transfer saga that dragged on for the whole of last season summer transfer window where the Swede went on strike as his former club were reluctant to sell but eventually the Reds held their ground and broke their transfer record twice in one window by adding not just Florian Wirtz but also Alexander Isak for £125m and Woltemade was another who was on Arne Slot radar but he went Newcastle so these deals still fresh.
Even results between these sides have shown it’s never a dull fixture who remember the 4-3 “Collymore closing innnnn” and there have been many more and more recent dramatic ones such as:
December 4, 2024: Newcastle 3–3 Liverpool An incredible six-goal thriller. Alexander Isak opened the scoring for Newcastle, but Liverpool came back through Curtis Jones and a Mohamed Salah brace to lead 3–2. A 90th-minute equaliser though from Fabian Schär ultimately rescued a point for the Magpies.
August 27, 2023: Newcastle 1–2 Liverpool The famous “Darwin Núñez game.” After former Newcastle winger Anthony Gordon scored and captain Virgil van Dijk was sent off early, a 10-man Liverpool looked down and out. However, former striker Nunez came off the bench to score two clinical, late goals (including a stoppage-time winner) to steal all three points in a dramatic game.
I have no doubt this will be another classic come August.
Erasing the bogey team: Nottingham Forest
Once the opening weekend over in the hope Ireola starts with a victory, Liverpool will quickly have to turn their attention to Nottingham Forest.
Under Slot’s tenure last season, Forest became something of a psychological hurdle some would say a “bogey team” for the Reds. Most notably, they were the only side to beat the Anfield fortress during Liverpool’s pursuit of their 20th Premier League title, courtesy of a stunning solo goal from Callum Hudson-Odoi.
The reigning Champions (at the time) did manage a slice of sweet revenge later in the year. A dramatic, injury-time winner from Alexis Mac Allister at the City Ground back in February snatched a vital three points, but the games have never been straightforward.
Forest endured a disastrous, stressful relegation battle last season under Vítor Pereira. Heading into the new campaign, they will be desperate to avoid a repeat of that misery and start fresh and doing that and upsetting the Spaniard first game in Liverpool dugout would be quite a statement.
Live4Liverpool Verdict
Regardless of past history, these two opening fixtures in August represent a massive test for Liverpool. With new management and hopefully new exciting faces like Munoz, the Reds have a golden opportunity to lay down an early marker for the title race.