Liverpool's Premier League Challenge Begins Under Andoni Iraola

Liverpool’s new Premier League era under Andoni Iraola begins at St James’ Park on Sunday – and it starts with a headache.

Both Liverpool and Newcastle United open their campaigns carrying significant absences, with Iraola and opposite number Matthias Jaissle forced into early reshuffles before a ball has even been kicked in anger.

Iraola’s first league test – with a stretched squad

This will be Iraola’s first Premier League game in charge of Liverpool, a high‑profile introduction against a Newcastle side also under fresh management. Yet the Spaniard still hasn’t had a clear look at his full squad.

Several of Liverpool’s long‑term casualties remain nowhere near contention. Conor Bradley, Hugo Ekitike and Giovanni Leoni are all sidelined after serious injuries suffered last season and will play no part on Tyneside.

Bradley faces the longest road back, not expected to return until 2027. Ekitike is also out for months yet, while Leoni is tracking ahead of both but still staring at close to a year out after his ACL injury last September.

The problems don’t stop there. Joe Gomez is also missing and is not due back until next month. Iraola had already ruled out an early return in pre-season, describing it as “impossible” for the defender to make the start of the campaign as he recovers from a muscle problem.

So Liverpool travel light in key areas, with their new manager already juggling solutions before his Premier League journey has properly begun.

Isak available – but on a tightrope

On the other side, Alexander Isak’s status has dominated Liverpool’s build‑up. The striker endured fitness issues last season and faces careful management again, but Iraola insists he is in a strong place physically and ready to contribute.

“Right now I think he is in a very good place, he's been training every day,” Iraola said in his press conference. “He hasn't missed a training session, he's adding more and more minutes in every friendly game.

“I think that he already played a very good World Cup in terms of availability, fitness level. I want to keep him there as much as we can because we know his level and if we can keep him there, he will score the goals, he will give us a lot of things.”

The message is clear: Liverpool will not wrap Isak in cotton wool if they can avoid it. He has travelled, he is fit, and he is expected to be central to their attacking plans – as long as his body holds up.

Newcastle’s own problems for Jaissle

Jaissle’s first Premier League outing as Newcastle boss is hardly straightforward either. The Magpies have already lost key midfielders Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimaraes this summer, and now Joelinton has joined the list of absentees.

“For sure out for a couple of weeks but I don't want to go too much in detail as there will always be specialists involved,” Jaissle explained. “The medical department is aware of it, we have top staff when it comes to that and I am really confident he will be back as soon as possible.”

It leaves Newcastle lighter in the engine room just as the season starts, a significant blow for a side that has relied heavily on Joelinton’s physicality and presence.

The news is no better at full-back. Tino Livramento, whose World Cup hopes were wrecked by a training‑ground injury in the United States, will also miss the Liverpool clash.

“For sure, too early [to return against Liverpool],” Jaissle said. “He had just one training where he was partially involved.

“So we need to be smart with his progress now. We can't wait until he is 100% ready. He has huge potential and I love him.”

New managers, missing stars, same pressure

So the stage is set: two new managers, two reshaped squads, and a marquee opening fixture already shaped by who is missing as much as who is available.

Iraola must navigate his Premier League debut without several long‑term absentees and a key defender. Jaissle enters the same arena without core midfield power and an exciting young full-back.

St James’ Park will not care about excuses. The season starts on Sunday. Who handles the disruption better?