The Premier League is back! Whether or not Liverpool are ready for that to be the case, well that remains to be seen. The Reds have been handed a tough opening day assignment, facing a new-look Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday, with Matthias Jaissle now in charge of the Magpies.
Much of Liverpool supporters' focus remains on transfer activity, or the lack there of, so perhaps it'll be good to have a match to talk about. Thus, with Andoni Iraola set to take charge of the Reds in a competitive match for the very first time, here is his predicted XI:
Goalkeeper: Alisson
Following Brazil's early World Cup exit, Alisson returned to Merseyside perhaps a bit earlier than forecast. Giorgi Mamardashvili started all three friendlies of the U.S. tour, before the number one returned for the two Anfield friendlies, so will be donning the gloves on Tyneside.
Right-back: Ronald Araújo
We could see a new-look Liverpool defence, starting at right-back. Conor Bradley is sidelined, so Jeremie Frimpong enjoyed a lot of pre-season minutes, but it remains to be seen if Iraola trusts the Dutchman defensively; Arne Slot certainly did not. Thus, having played the second 45 against Como last Sunday, new signing Ronald Araújo could be thrown in for his debut.
Centre-back: Virgil van Dijk
Having played more minutes for club and country than any other player in Europe last season, Virgil van Dijk was rightly given an extended post-World Cup break. He did though play an hour against Monaco and then the full 90 against Como, meaning the imperious Dutch defender is ready to go again for another season.
Centre-back: Jérémy Jacquet
One of the major talking points, not just ahead of this match but for the season as an entirety, is who will be van Dijk's centre-back partner? Joe Gomez and Giovanni Leoni are sidelined and, if we're correct and Araújo is at right-back, there will be another debutant in Jérémy Jacquet. The new signing required shoulder surgery in February, so is cautiously being eased in by Iraola. Thus, the 21 year old belatedly made his first appearance for the club last Sunday, seeing the first 45, but Jacquet may be needed to start on Tyneside, which will be something of a baptism of fire.
Left-back: Miloš Kerkez
Left-back is a rare defensive position that is settled. The returning Kostas Tsimikas appears set to stay and be the back-up, with Miloš Kerkez very much Iraola's first-choice.
Defensive midfielder: Ryan Gravenberch
As we'll come on to, Iraola's preferred midfield trio is likely to be ultra-attacking, which will place an enormous amount of defensive responsibility on Ryan Gravenberch. The Dutchman has played 45 minutes, an hour and then the full 90 across the last three pre-season games, all building up to this one.
Central midfielder: Dominik Szoboszlai
With Alexis Mac Allister unlikely to start, having only just returned following his post-World Cup holiday, Dominik Szoboszlai will be key to midfield. Hungary's failure to make it to America means that the 25 year old has played more than any other senior player during pre-season and, in Iraola's system, might just be the most important player in the entire team.
Attacking midfielder: Florian Wirtz
As has been reported throughout pre-season, Iraola views Florian Wirtz's best position as a number ten, not planning to deploy the German out-wide. All of his pre-season minutes have come centrally, starting the two Anfield friendlies, scoring against both Leeds and Monaco, hoping to continue that form.
Right winger: Rio Ngumoha
The two wide-attacking positions are probably the toughest to forecast, hence why that is where Liverpool's primary transfer market focus continues to be. Rio Ngumoha's breakout moment came at St James' 12 months ago, downing Newcastle with a winner in the tenth minute of injury time. Well, the teenager has featured in all five pre-season games, scoring against Wrexham at Yankee Stadium, deployed on the right last weekend, which was perhaps foreshadowing Iraola's plan for this fixture.
Left winger: Cody Gakpo
With Tottenham set to sign Savinho for £75 million, that surely ends the possibility of Cody Gakpo heading to Spurs, which is probably good news. Right now, Liverpool can ill afford to let the Dutchman to leave. He bagged a goal and an assist against Como last Sunday and, with no more new arrivals on their way just yet, remains the Reds' first-choice winger. New signing Víctor Muñoz is also an option, but is not yet up to speed, following his involvement in the World Cup Final.
Centre-forward: Alexander Isak
Last, but by no means least, Alexander Isak is going to be both the centre-forward and the centre of attention. A year ago, the Swede was still on strike at Newcastle, seeking to force through this move to Liverpool, which he did successfully in the end. He was then injured when the Magpies visited Anfield in January, so this will be his first meeting with the Toon Army since leaving. Suffice to say, Isak should not expect a warm welcome back.
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