Newcastle United have had a tumultuous summer, losing key players such as Sandro Tonali, Anthony Gordon and Bruno Guimarães. Eddie Howe also left his role as head coach and was replaced by Matthias Jaissle.
The former Al-Hilal manager has a big job on his hands to live up to Howe's legacy. Howe turned Newcastle from a relegation-threatened club into one that qualified for the Champions League and won the EFL Cup.
It appears that the PIF's interest in Newcastle is wavering after selling Tonali and Guimarães. This comes after the sovereign wealth fund announced they were going to withdraw its funding from another sport, LIV Golf.
Jaissle needs to hit the ground running at Newcastle after replacing the popular Howe. The new manager must do this by getting his starting XI right against Liverpool this weekend.
Predicted starting 11 for Premier League opener
Goalkeeper and Defenders
GK: Lukas Hornicek
It is expected that the new signing, Lukas Hornicek, will start in goal. This comes after Nick Pope has been linked with a move away from the club. Hornicek is only 24, so he could be the Magpies' long-term goalkeeper, with Pope 10 years his senior. Hornicek has recently joined the club from Braga. Pope has been linked with Celtic, Leeds United, and Ipswich Town.
RB: Amar Dedic
With Tino Livramento injured, it appears that Amar Dedic will start at right-back. It will be throwing the new signing from Benfica in at the deep end, as he joined too late to feature in any pre-season games. Dedic has big boots to fill after Kieran Trippier departed for Wolverhampton Wanderers.
CB: Sven Botman
Sven Botman is expected to start at the back alongside Malick Thiaw. They are both in their mid-twenties, so they should be playing ahead of Dan Burn and Fabian Schär, who are both 34.
CB: Malick Thiaw
Thiaw will likely be Botman's centre-back partner for the season. Burn and Schär will be experienced backups. Newcastle's defence will have the difficult task of keeping their former striker Alexander Isak out of the game. This will be Isak's first return to St. James' Park, so he will inevitably get a lot of stick from the Newcastle fans.
LB: Lewis Hall
As Newcastle's only senior left-back, Lewis Hall should start. Burn is an alternative should anything happen to Hall. The Newcastle full-back performed well last season and has even been linked with Manchester United.
Midfielders
CDM: Aladji Bamba
With Giumaraes sold to Arsenal, Aladji Bamba, who has just arrived at Newcastle from AS Monaco, will be his replacement. Bamba's job will be to prevent Florian Wirtz from influencing the game.
CM: Jacob Ramsey
Joelinton is injured, so Jacob Ramsey will have to step up in his absence.
CM: Lewis Miley
Losing Tonali to Tottenham Hotspur was a big blow for Newcastle. However, they still have Lewis Miley as a highly rated midfielder.
Forwards
RW: Anthony Elanga
Anthony Elanga will likely start ahead of Jacob Murphy on the right flank. Liverpool's left-back Milos Kerkez likes to get forward; this could allow Elanga to get in behind.
CF: William Osula
William Osula could start up front after scoring in Newcastle's final pre-season game against Strasbourg. He is competing with Nick Woltemade and Yoane Wissa to lead the line. Whoever starts up front against Liverpool will have a handful when up against Virgil Van Dijk.
LW: Bazoumana Touré
Newcastle also sold Anthony Gordon to Barcelona for £69 million this summer. However, they did spend £42 million to get the services of Bazoumana Touré. The former Hoffenheim player will be competing with Harvey Barnes for a spot on the left wing.
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