Andoni Iraola braced for Newcastle fireworks before pivotal Liverpool fixture run
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A raucous, white-hot atmosphere from a passionate, fervent fanbase will have been exactly what Andoni Iraola will have envisioned for his first match as Liverpool boss in the Premier League.The only problem is the supporters in question will be wearing the black and white stripes of Newcastle United and the Reds' reception will undoubtedly be hostile on Sunday, August 23.Perhaps only Sunderland keep Liverpool off top spot now on the list of Tyneside enemies given how events have shaken up in the transfer market over the last 12 months.First, it was the Reds' unsettling, deliberate or not, over star striker Alexander Isak whose head was turned at such a velocity at the thought of joining the then champions, that he effectively went on strike before sealing a bitter and acrimonious departure to the tune of £125m on September 1.Between the start of that saga and its merciful conclusion, Liverpool nipped in and coaxed Hugo Ekitike to Anfield too, sealing a £79m agreement with Eintracht Frankfurt shortly after Newcastle had seen an offer turned down by the Bundesliga side.Fast-forward a year and the Reds are once more bane of the Magpies' recruitment department. But there is still little denial that the Reds once more gazumped their Premier League counterparts, to use the transfer window parlance.It's why the din will be ratcheted up ten-fold on August 23, some 363 days since their last visit to St James' Park, when Rio Ngumoha scored a dramatic 100th-minute winner after Eddie Howe's 10 men had gamely fought their way back into the contest.To add another combustible element into an already volatile powder keg, barring injury, this will be Isak's first appearance against his former club since he forced his way out of Tyneside.The reception will likely be off scale for the Sweden international and how he handles that will be crucial on the night.There promises to be fireworks and if Iraola - and what is expected to be something of a new-look Liverpool - can come through with maximum points, it would be a huge way to begin life at Anfield for the head coach.The Reds at least head into the new term on the longest unbeaten run on the opening weekend of new Premier League seasons.
It's 14 years now since they were last beaten in their first match, which came when they were dismantled 3-0 by West Bromwich Albion in Brendan Rodgers's first league game as manager.Liverpool, meanwhile, haven't lost any of their last 19 games against Newcastle and Iraola's unbeaten run in the division now stands at 18 games. Those searching for positive opening-day omens have plenty to choose from.But if this campaign is to be a significant improvement on Arne Slot's troubled second season, it will likely be a cluster of fixtures around late November and early December that could shape things.The Reds host Manchester United on November 21, just a week before the first Merseyside derby is played at Hill Dickinson Stadium against Everton.
Under Slot last season, fixtures against Leeds United, Burnley and Sunderland returned just 10 points from a possible 18.Liverpool must be more productive this coming campaign against Ipswich Town (September 5 away, March 3 at home), Coventry City (January 2 at home, February 10 away) and Hull City, who host the Reds on Boxing Day before a trip to Anfield on February 20.One of the key things Slot pinpointed for an early improvement two years ago was Liverpool's return away from home. In Jurgen Klopp's final season, the Reds picked up 34 points from a possible 57 with three defeats and seven draws seeing them lag eventual champions Manchester City by 10 points on the road.A year later, Liverpool finished nine clear of City for points earned away from home as they swept to the title by 10 and with four games to spare.