Liverpool begins its Premier League campaign on Sunday with a trip to St. James' Park to take on Newcastle in what will be Alexander Isak's first time facing his old club
Alexander Isak of Liverpool in preseason
Alexander Isak will lead the line entering the new season(Image: Photo by Lewis Storey/Getty Images)
Liverpool's 2026/27 Premier League campaign gets underway on Sunday with the Reds set to travel north to take on Newcastle.
The opening game of the new Premier League season saw title holders Arsenal convincingly dispatch Coventry 3-0 at the Emirates, with Mikel Arteta's side comfortably defeating the newly promoted thanks to goals from Kai Havertz, Bukayo Saka, and Martin Odegaard.
Meanwhile, the Reds begin their Premier League season on Sunday against Newcastle at St. James' Park, in what promises to be an emotional affair due to the planned tributes to the late Kevin Keegan, an icon for both clubs. It will also be the first time that Liverpool forward Alexander Isak faces Newcastle since his acrimonious departure last summer, which saw the Swede swap Tyneside for Merseyside in a British record transfer fee deal worth $170 million (£125m).
Isak missed Liverpool's 3-2 win over Newcastle last August due to a strike, which later led him to force through his move to Anfield.
He also missed Liverpool's 4-1 win over Newcastle in January earlier this year due to being sidelined with a broken leg.
However, with Hugo Ekitike sidelined due to the torn Achilles tendon he sustained last season, Isak will be leading the line for Liverpool on Sunday at St. James' Park, where he will undoubtedly receive a frosty reception.
Isak will return to Newcastle for the first time this weekend after his bitter move to Liverpool
Isak will return to Newcastle for the first time this weekend after his bitter move to Liverpool(Image: Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images)
While Isak will start through the middle on Sunday, Liverpool's predicted defense will see Alisson lineup between the sticks, protected by a back four of Jeremie Frimpong, Jeremy Jacquet, Virgil van Dijk, and Milos Kerkez.
There is every chance Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola could opt to field Ronald Araujo at center back alongside Van Dijk following his loan move from Barcelona.
However, the Reds paid $74 million (£55m) for Jacquet, a clear sign they view him as a player who they would be comfortable starting.
The 21-year-old impressed on his debut against Como recently, and could be in line to start alongside Van Dijk on Sunday.
Iraola will start Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai at the base of midfield, with Alexis Mac Allister some way off full fitness after his exploits at the World Cup this summer with Argentina.
Ahead of the pivot of Gravenberch and Szoboszlai, the Reds will likely field a trio of attackers behind Isak in the form of Rio Ngumoha on the right, Cody Gakpo on the left, and Florian Wirtz in attacking midfield.
Sunday's clash against Newcastle will see Ngumoha return to the scene almost a year to the day since he scored a dramatic winner against the Magpies last August in injury-time, which saw the Reds claim a 3-2 win on Tyneside.
Liverpool predicted starting line-up to face Newcastle (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.