Liverpool are set to begin their 2026-27 Premier League campaign under Andoni Iraola at Newcastle on Sunday without Mohamed Salah, who has moved to Trabzonspor. This marks the first time in a decade the Reds will start a season without the Egyptian forward, who holds the Premier League record for most goals on the first matchday.
The departure of Salah, along with Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino, means Liverpool will be without any of the trio for the first time since 2015. Between 2015 and 2026, the three players scored a combined 488 goals for the club.
Attention now turns to Alexander Isak, 26, and Florian Wirtz, 23, who were signed last summer for a combined £320m alongside Hugo Ekitike. Both Isak and Wirtz are expected to lead the way in this new era after their debut campaigns were described as disappointing. Manager Iraola believes Isak, who cost a British record £125m, will be "very important" this season.
Liverpool are still in the market for another top-class forward, with captain Virgil van Dijk stating the need for a squad to compete on all four fronts. The club is reportedly confident of striking a deal for Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola, with PSG seeking around £145m and Liverpool aiming for a fee closer to £100m. Ekitike, 24, is hoped to be fit for the second half of the season after rupturing his Achilles tendon in April.