Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool
Jeremy Jacquet of Liverpool(Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
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And we're off. After a seemingly interminable summer, the real stuff gets underway this afternoon when Liverpool begin the new Premier League season at Newcastle United.
It represents a first competitive game in charge for new Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola after the Basque replaced the sacked Arne Slot following the end of the previous campaign.
With special tributes planned for Liverpool and Newcastle legend Kevin Keegan, it promises to be an emotional occasion at St James' Park.
But how should the Reds line up for their penultimate warm-up fixture? Our ECHO writers take a look...
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Paul Gorst
Liverpool’s strongest XI, once that pesky right-wing issue is resolved, is pretty fearsome. The question is just how deep the squad will be when the transfer window closes.
For this one though, the main issue is whether or not to start the inexperienced Jeremy Jacquet, who hasn’t played competitively since February or the uncompromising Ronald Araujo?
For me, I’m starting the latter. His experience and defence-first mindset will be ideal for the cauldron of St James’ Park. The Uruguay international tackles first and asks questions last and that will be needed.
In midfield, Alexis Mac Allister is the odd man out and Rio Ngumoha starts on the right side.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Araujo, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Ian Doyle
It is exactly 40 years to the day since Liverpool last opened the season at Newcastle United, when they were reigning champions in a 2-0 victory.
Paul Gascoigne and Peter Beardsley were playing for Newcastle that afternoon. But what is new Reds head coach Andoni Iraola going to do with his team selection for his first proper game in charge?
In truth, with Liverpool shedding players at an alarming basis this summer, there aren't actually that many decisions for Iraola to make once all the injuries are taken into account.
One is the centre-back partner to skipper Virgil van Dijk. Jeremy Jacquet did very well against Como last week but the experience and extra match fitness of Ronald Araujo means he gets the nod, with Alisson Becker the goalkeeper, Milos Kerkez left-back and Jeremie Frimpong right-back.
The midfield picks itself with Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai at the base and Florian Wirtz the number 10. And up top, Cody Gakpo is on the left and Alexander Isak down the middle, leaving just the right winger which can be the hero of this fixture last season, Rio Ngumoha.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Araujo, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
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Theo Squires
Andoni Iraola should not have too many difficult decisions to make when he picks his side for Liverpool’s Premier League opener away at Newcastle United. Injuries and a relatively quiet transfer window to date make sure of that.
Alexander Isak leads the line against his former club in what is sure to be a fiery reunion at St James’ Park. Florian Wirtz starts at number 10, flanked by Cody Gakpo and Rio Ngumoha with the England international getting the nod on the right given the Reds are yet to source a replacement for Mohamed Salah.
Alexis Mac Allister will have to make do with a place on the bench following his belated return for pre-season after his World Cup exploits, as Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai complete the midfield.
Meanwhile, Jeremy Jacquet gets the nod ahead of Ronald Araujo to debut alongside Virgil van Dijk following his eye-catching performance against Como last weekend. Both centre-backs are playing catch-up, but at least the Frenchman has a better grasp of English to aid his bedding in period as Liverpool prepare to unleash a new-look pairing at the heart of defence.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.
Mark Jones
After all the talk of transfer ins and outs, Andoni Iraola has arrived at the opening game of his competitive Liverpool career with fairly few decisions to make.
It had looked as though Alisson Becker wouldn't be sticking around to begin his ninth season as the Reds' number one but he'll be in goal at St James' Park, with three of the back four - Jeremie Frimpong, Virgil van Dijk and Milos Kerkez - also shoo-ins to start.
Jeremy Jacquet should then get the nod over Ronald Araujo after his 45 minutes against Como which have already passed into Liverpool folklore, and then ahead of the young Frenchman Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai can form a midfield two we're likely to see a lot of this season.
Cody Gakpo simply can't leave with the attacking resources as they currently are and he starts on the left, with Rio Ngumoha on the right and Florian Wirtz behind Alexander Isak, who is sure to receive a lovely Geordie welcome back at his former club.
My team (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak.