Federico Chiesa and Harvey Elliott were the notable absentees from Andoni Iraola‘s first official Liverpool squad, with Lewis Koumas preferred at Newcastle.
Iraola has named a side with four changes from the final day of last season, with Jeremy Jacquet making his competitive debut.
Two players with major doubts over their futures are Chiesa and Elliott, and both were left out of the matchday squad to face Newcastle.
This Is Anfield understands Chiesa’s absence comes after a fitness issue picked up earlier in the week, having missed training in the buildup.
Elliott simply misses out as a selection call from Iraola, who has named 20-year-old Koumas on the bench for the first time since March 2024.
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas on the pitch before the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Lewis Koumas on the pitch before the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Koumas’ last involvement at first-team level was a six-game run in the squad under Jurgen Klopp, which brought his only senior appearance to date – a start against Southampton in the FA Cup which also saw him score his debut goal.
Since then he has taken in loan spells with Stoke, Birmingham and Hull as well as becoming a 12-cap Wales international.
Both Koumas and James McConnell have remained as part of the first-team squad amid interest from other clubs, with Iraola likely to make a late decision over their futures.
The same applies to Luke Chambers, but the left-back is not involved against Newcastle, while Calvin Ramsay is absent as he nears a loan move to St Mirren.
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott applauds the supporters after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
LIVERPOOL, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 8, 2026: Liverpool's Harvey Elliott applauds the supporters after a pre-season friendly match between Liverpool FC and AS Monaco FC at Anfield. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Liverpool held talks with RB Leipzig last summer over a permanent deal for Elliott but the German club were unwilling to meet their demands.
He subsequently joined Aston Villa on loan but, with an £35 million buy clause built into the agreement based on appearances, he was frozen out of Unai Emery’s selection.
The midfielder failed to impress on his return to pre-season and he can be fully expected to leave Liverpool before the deadline on September 1.
Much will depend on Liverpool receiving offers for Elliott and Chiesa, but with deals in the works for Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh and Paris Saint-Germain‘s Bradley Barcola they will only drop further down the pecking order.
Football – FA Premier League – Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Saturday, August 22, 2026: Liverpool's Jeremy Jacquet arrives before the pre-match warm-up before the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)
Football – FA Premier League – Newcastle United FC v Liverpool FC
NEWCASTLE-UPON-TYNE, ENGLAND - Monday, August 25, 2025: Newcastle United's Dan Burn during the FA Premier League match between Newcastle United FC and Liverpool FC at St James' Park. Liverpool won 3-2. (Photo by David Rawcliffe/Propaganda)