There was no team news from new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola ahead of Sunday’s trip to Newcastle United.

• READ MORE: Press conferences for FPL Gameweek 1

Of what we do know, long-term absentees Hugo Ekitike (Achilles), Conor Bradley (knee) and Giovanni Leoni (knee) remain out.

Joe Gomez (muscle) is also sidelined, while Curtis Jones is Inter-bound.

In the absence of any questions about injuries, Iraola was grilled about Alexander Isak and Cody Gakpo, the latter of whom has been heavily linked with Tottenham Hotspur.

“Alex is going to be a very important player for us this season. Right now, I think he’s in a very good place. He’s been training every day. He hasn’t missed a training session. He’s been adding more and more minutes every friendly game.

“I think he already played a very good World Cup in terms of availability, fitness level. And I want to keep him there as much as we can because we know his level and if we can keep him there he will score the goals.” Andoni Iraola on Alexander Isak

“Cody is performing really well. I think he has been since the first day training very well, understanding everything we need from his position. I think he you can feel straight away when you talk to him he understands the game.

“He’s very smart and he has been, I don’t know if one of the our best players in the friendlies, but definitely he has been performing very well. I cannot tell you the starting XI; the players don’t know it! I would never say it but definitely he’s in a great spot.” – Andoni Iraola on Cody Gakpo