Dominik Szoboszlai held his nerve to score a penalty with the last kick of the game, rescuing a dramatic 2-2 draw for Liverpool against Newcastle in Andoni Iraola’s debut match as manager. This was Liverpool's first step into a future without their long-time talisman Mohamed Salah, who has departed for Trabzonspor, and it signals a new era after Arne Slot's close-season sacking.
From the off, Liverpool's new beginnings looked uncomfortable, as Newcastle exposed the same defensive frailties that plagued the team last season. Anthony Elanga put the home side ahead in the first half, and although Cody Gakpo found an equalizer shortly after the break, Joe Willock’s goal restored Newcastle’s lead. Yet, Szoboszlai's coolly slotted penalty in stoppage time, awarded after Lewis Hall fouled debutant Victor Munoz, ensured the points were shared.
For new manager Iraola, it's a mixed start. He can take heart from his team's resilience and refusal to surrender, but the unconvincing performance will undoubtedly be a major concern. This marks the first time since 2016 that Liverpool has started a campaign without Mohamed Salah, who left for Trabzonspor and has already begun scoring for his new club. Liverpool also saw Ibrahima Konate move to Real Madrid and Andrew Robertson join Tottenham.
Iraola, who previously guided Bournemouth to European qualification with his signature high-energy tactics, faces a significant rebuilding job. Liverpool finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League last season. Based on this timid display at St James' Park, catching champions Arsenal will be a tall order. Newcomer Jeremy Jacquet, partnered with Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, looked erratic. 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha struggled to fill the void left by Salah.
The match also saw a poignant pre-match tribute from fans of both clubs to the recently deceased Kevin Keegan. He was a former manager of Newcastle and a striker for Liverpool, who was 75. This was a stark contrast to the reception given to Alexander Isak.
The Sweden striker, once a hero for Newcastle for his role in ending their 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup in 2025, returned to St James' Park for the first time since his controversial £125 million move to Liverpool last year. He was met with deafening boos and chants labelling him "greedy".
Newcastle’s blistering start saw them take the lead within five minutes. William Osula initiated a swift attack with a sharp run and pass, sending Elanga clear of a flat-footed Milos Kerkez. Elanga then finished clinically into the far corner. The build-up exposed defensive lapses from Liverpool's Ryan Gravenberch, Van Dijk, and Jacquet, echoing the team's struggles from the previous season.
While Liverpool's first half was forgettable, Isak's inability to convert several chances in the second half was equally disheartening. Iraola himself has acknowledged Liverpool's need for more wingers to compensate for Salah's absence. However, Cody Gakpo, who has faced speculation linking him with Tottenham, showed he can still be a key player. He collected a pass from Gravenberch in the 55th minute, turned, and unleashed a superb low strike from 25 yards that flew past goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.
Newcastle’s lead was short-lived. Just two minutes later, Joe Willock found the net, scoring his first Premier League goal since 2024. Liverpool's defence was again at fault. They were pushed back by Yoane Wissa's surge before Willock elegantly bypassed Jeremie Frimpong to score from the edge of the area. But Newcastle's victory slipped through their fingers when Hall's rash foul on debutant winger Munoz gave Szoboszlai the chance to seal the draw from the penalty spot.
He took it with aplomb, smashing it into the top corner.