Liverpool begin new era without Mohamed Salah against Newcastle
Liverpool will begin a Premier League season without Mohamed Salah for the first time in a decade when they travel to Newcastle United on Sunday following his departure to Trabzonspor.
The Reds open their 2026-27 campaign under Andoni Iraola at St James’ Park this weekend.
Meanwhile, their former Egyptian talisman will be lining up 2,100 miles away in the Turkish Super Lig.
Moving on from a legendary era
This weekend marks the first time since 2015 that the Merseyside club will start a campaign without Salah, Sadio Mane or Roberto Firmino.
That iconic trio amassed a staggering 488 goals between them over an incredible 11-year spell.
With the record-breaking winger now out of the picture, Cody Gakpo stands as the current top scorer in the squad with just 50 goals.
Pressure mounts on costly summer signings
The Anfield hierarchy invested heavily last summer, spending a combined £320m on Alexander Isak, Florian Wirtz and Hugo Ekitike with the future in mind.
However, the immense goalscoring and creative burden left by the club’s greatest modern attacker must now be shared.
Ekitike enjoyed a promising start to his Anfield career before suffering a ruptured Achilles tendon in April.
Consequently, Isak and Wirtz are under immense pressure to lead the line following disappointing debut campaigns.
Transfer search intensifies for Barcola
Despite expectations of a statement signing to replace their departed superstar, the club has yet to secure a top-class forward.
A move for 19-year-old rising star Yan Diomande collapsed after the teenager opted to join Real Madrid from RB Leipzig.
Focus has now shifted to Paris St-Germain winger Bradley Barcola, with growing confidence that a deal can be reached.
The French champions initially demanded £145m for the attacker, though Liverpool hope to negotiate a fee closer to the £100m mark.
Club captain Virgil van Dijk has publicly acknowledged the need to strengthen the squad before the transfer window closes.
“We need a squad that is able to compete on all four fronts, that’s the only way to try to be successful. Let’s see what the last couple weeks of the transfer window brings and then let’s go for it.”