Liverpool will soon kick off its new Premier League campaign against Newcastle this weekend, with Andoni Iraola needing to hit the ground running with his new side
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak.
Liverpool striker Alexander Isak.(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside via Getty Images)
The new Premier League season kicks off today, with Arsenal hosting Coventry, but Andoni Iraola and Liverpool have another couple of days left to prepare for their trip to Newcastle.
Each of the first five games that Liverpool plays is against teams also with new managers in charge, and this feels like the hardest season in some time to predict as a result of there being so much change. Up and down the league, there are questions that need answering.
With that in mind, here is what Liverpool.com is predicting will happen. A Champions League finish and some more exciting matches are a must in Iraola's debut season at the helm, but there should be much more to look forward to as well.
Alexander Isak hits 30 goals
It has seemingly been forgotten by some just how good Alexander Isak is. There is, after all, a reason that Liverpool was willing to pay $169 million (£125 million) for his services a year ago.
Isak, should he remain fit, should get around 30 goals in all competitions. That really isn't a stretch, given the number of games there will be and the fact that Iraola's team will be built around making as many chances for its number nine as possible.
Fitness is key, but last season was an anomaly. Isak arrived unfit and also broke his leg. The last major injury he sustained that kept him out for a period beyond a couple of games was four or five years ago.
Keep him fit, and Liverpool has a guarantee of goals. If Isak hits form and proves his worth, then Iraola will have a successful time of it. If the Swede struggles, so will his team.
Alexander Isak next to Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during the pre-season friendly against Monaco at Anfield on August 9 2026
Alexander Isak next to Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola during the pre-season friendly against Monaco at Anfield on August 9 2026(Image: Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
Rio Ngumoha and Trey Nyoni establish themselves
Lacking in depth and with Curtis Jones seemingly the latest player to be heading for the exit door, Liverpool will need existing players to step up.
Trey Nyoni could take on Jones' minutes — while the latter played around 2000 minutes last term, some of those were at right-back — and Rio Ngumoha's role will grow too.
Both players are hugely talented and Iraola has a reputation, quite rightly, for developing young talent.
Nyoni and Ngumoha are the ones who are by far the most likely to step up under the Spaniard, even if they won't be (and shouldn't be) playing every single week.
Last summer's transfers prove their worth
Much was made of Liverpool's decision to spend big last summer, some of it justified and some of it misguided. The $600M or so of incomings was one thing, for instance, but around half of that sum was recouped in significant sales.
Isak, as mentioned, is one who needs to step up this season, but there are others too. Florian Wirtz now has 12 months of experience of what the Premier League is like, while Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong have adjusted to life at Anfield.
Those four are the main ones who need to prove themselves. Hugo Ekitike has impressed, but is currently sidelined for a lengthy spell, while Giovanni Leoni is a huge talent who has so far been unable to feature much.
Isak, Wirtz, Kerkez and Frimpong are all good players. And, just like with others who underperformed last year, including Ryan Gravenberch and Cody Gakpo, they should improve again.
Liverpool spent big money for a reason, but is yet to see the value of that. Perhaps Iraola's most important task will be ensuring that changes.