The Liverpool players with the most to prove in the opening weeks

A new head coach, a reshaped squad and a demanding start to the Premier League season have made August a significant month for several Liverpool players. Andoni Iraola’s side began with a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United, a match that showed both the attacking potential of the team and the work required without the ball.

The opening weeks will not define a campaign, but they can quickly influence selection patterns. With the transfer window open and competition increasing in several positions, some members of the squad have a narrower margin for error than others. Nottingham Forest, Ipswich Town and Fulham are next in the league, giving Iraola an early run in which to test combinations and establish a clearer hierarchy.

Cody Gakpo has an early chance to reset the conversation

Cody Gakpo could hardly have asked for a better individual moment in the league opener. His second-half equaliser at St James’ Park showed the directness Liverpool still needs from the left. One goal does not settle the wider debate about his place, but it gives him a platform.

Early-season coverage around Liverpool spans team selection, tactical changes, transfers and betting, but Iraola’s decisions will provide the clearest indication of where each player stands. For Gakpo, the question is whether he can turn a productive opening contribution into a run of performances that makes him difficult to leave out.

Competition is already significant. Rio Ngumoha started at Newcastle, Victor Muñoz made an impact from the bench and further attacking business remains possible before the window closes. Gakpo therefore needs to show that his finishing, movement and physical presence still give this version of Liverpool something distinctive.

Wataru Endo may have to prove his tactical value

Liverpool’s official match report from Newcastle listed Wataru Endo among the unused substitutes, while Iraola later acknowledged that the team had to improve how it dealt with transitions. That is relevant to a midfielder whose strongest case for minutes is based on structure, discipline and defensive awareness rather than attacking output.

Endo is unlikely to displace Ryan Gravenberch or Dominik Szoboszlai by matching their qualities. His opportunity lies in offering something different. If Liverpool continues to look vulnerable when both midfielders advance, Iraola may decide there are matches in which a more conservative presence is useful.

He was not called upon at Newcastle, but the problems seen there could create a route into the side. His challenge is to show that he can meet the new coach’s intensity while retaining the positional discipline that makes him a different option.

Harvey Elliott is fighting for relevance as well as minutes

Few players enter the final days of the window with more uncertainty around them than Harvey Elliott. He was not included in the matchday squad for the Newcastle opener, and his place in Iraola’s plans remains unclear after his return from Aston Villa.

A recent article on plans confirmed for Liverpool noted that his pre-season did not provide the fresh start he needed and that his situation remains unresolved ahead of the deadline. If he stays, he must force his way back into the manager’s thinking rather than simply wait for opportunities created by rotation.

The issue is not whether Elliott can offer creativity. The harder question is the role. Liverpool already has several players who want the ball in advanced central areas, while Iraola’s approach also demands intensity without possession. Elliott has to show that he can satisfy both sides of that equation.

Federico Chiesa needs continuity

Chiesa’s situation is different. His ability has never been the main question, but his Liverpool career has not yet developed into a consistent sequence of starts. He missed the Newcastle match due to injury, according to reports this week, at a time when the club is also considering further changes in the wide areas.

For a player in that position, availability becomes part of the case for selection. Chiesa can provide direct running and front-line experience, but those qualities matter most if he can find a rhythm within the new system.

There may still be movement before the transfer deadline, so his short-term future cannot be treated as settled. If he remains, the challenge is straightforward, become a dependable option on the front line where places are being redistributed.