Liverpool's Defensive Dilemma: Araujo or Jacquet Next to Van Dijk?

Andoni Iraola’s Liverpool step into the unknown at St James’ Park on Sunday, but one dilemma has dominated the build-up: who stands next to Virgil van Dijk?

The new head coach arrives on Tyneside with his central defensive options already stretched. Joe Gomez is out after picking up an injury in pre-season, Giovanni Leoni is a long-term absentee, and that leaves a straight shootout between Araujo and summer signing Jeremy Jacquet.

Both were given exactly 45 minutes in the final warm-up game against Como last weekend. Jacquet even marked his first Anfield appearance with a goal just before half-time, a neat moment that hinted at his potential and briefly sharpened the spotlight on him.

Then reality bites.

The French defender has battled fitness issues throughout the summer and has barely played competitive football in six months, having undergone shoulder surgery back in February while still at Rennes. Throwing him straight into one of the most unforgiving away grounds in the Premier League would be a bold call, even for a coach as front-foot as Iraola.

That nudges the door open for Araujo.

He knows St James’ Park. He has felt the noise, the hostility, the way the place closes in when Newcastle smell weakness. For a manager looking to steady the back line on day one of a new regime, that experience counts. It may well tip the balance.

Beyond that decision, Liverpool’s XI almost writes itself.

Alisson anchors the side in goal. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez are set to complete the back five alongside van Dijk and whichever centre-back wins Iraola’s trust. In midfield, Ryan Gravenberch is expected to line up with Dominik Szoboszlai, despite an eye-catching pre-season from Trey Nyoni that has pushed him closer to the senior picture.

There will be no Curtis Jones in the squad. The midfielder has flown to Italy to finalise his move to Inter Milan, closing a chapter at Anfield just as a new one opens under Iraola. Alexis Mac Allister, meanwhile, has only 54 minutes of summer football in his legs after an extended post-World Cup break and is unlikely to be thrown straight into the starting line-up.

Out wide, the plan looks clear.

With Liverpool not expected to land Bradley Barcola or Ibrahim Mbaye before Friday’s registration deadline, Rio Ngumoha and Cody Gakpo are in line to start on the flanks. Florian Wirtz should operate in the No 10 role, the creative hinge between midfield industry and the lone striker.

And that striker is set to be Alexander Isak.

His selection adds an extra charge to the afternoon. Isak returns to Newcastle for the first time since his record £125 million move last summer, a transfer that still leaves a sour taste among sections of the home support. The reception is unlikely to be warm, and he knows it.

A new manager, a reshaped attack, a defensive call that could define the tone of the opening weeks: Liverpool’s new era begins in a cauldron. The only question now is whether Iraola backs familiarity in Araujo, or rolls the dice on Jacquet’s promise in the heat of St James’ Park.