Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai celebrates after scoring in opposition to Newcastle. Photograph: AFP
NEWCASTLE:
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scored a penalty with the final kick of the sport to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw in opposition to Newcastle in Andoni Iraola’s first match in control of the Reds.
Iraola is the figurehead of a brand new period for Liverpool after Arne Slot’s close-season sacking and Mohamed Salah’s departure to Trabzonspor.
Liverpool’s first steps into the long run had been uncomfortable, with Newcastle exposing the defensive flaws that proved deadly for Slot final season.
Anthony Elanga put Newcastle forward within the first half earlier than Cody Gakpo equalised quickly after the interval.
Joe Willock’s first Premier League purpose since 2024 restored Newcastle’s benefit, however Szoboszlai held his nerve to web with a stoppage-time penalty after Lewis Corridor fouled Victor Munoz.
It was a blended begin for Iraola, who can take coronary heart from his workforce’s refusal to simply accept defeat, however can be involved by their unconvincing show.
For the primary time since 2016, Liverpool kicked off a marketing campaign with out Egypt ahead Mohamed Salah as their talisman, whereas Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson have additionally departed for Actual Madrid and Tottenham, respectively.
Iraola earned plaudits for main Bournemouth to European qualification final season along with his astute ways and high-energy model of play.
Tasked with rebuilding a Liverpool squad that completed a disappointing fifth within the Premier League final season, he faces a troublesome activity to catch champions Arsenal on the proof of a timid efficiency that hardly deserved the purpose they escaped with at St James’ Park.
Debutant defender Jeremy Jacquet was erratic alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, whereas 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha was unable to fill the void left by Salah, who scored his first targets for Trabzonspor whereas his outdated membership had been spluttering.
Followers of each golf equipment had been united for an emotional pre-match tribute to former Newcastle supervisor and Liverpool striker Kevin Keegan, who died lately aged 75.
Late escape act
It was a stark distinction to the therapy given to Alexander Isak, who was again at St James’ Park for the primary time since his acrimonious £125 million ($170 million) transfer to Liverpool final yr.
As soon as a hero to the Toon Military after serving to finish Newcastle’s 56-year trophy drought by profitable the League Cup in 2025, the Sweden striker was greeted by deafening boos and x-rated chants labelling him “grasping”.
The refrain of disapproval for Isak was quickly changed with ear-splitting roars of celebration after Newcastle’s electrical fifth-minute opener.
William Osula began the blistering raid with an incisive run and go that despatched Elanga sprinting away from the flat-footed Milos Kerkez for a scientific end into the far nook.
Ryan Gravenberch was caught out of place within the build-up to the purpose, whereas Van Dijk and Jacquet had been additionally culpable as they reacted slowly in a breakdown that had alarming similarities to Liverpool’s woes final season.
If that summed up Liverpool’s forgettable first half, the sight of Isak passing up a bunch of probabilities was much more discouraging.
Iraola has admitted Liverpool have to signal extra wingers to assist substitute Salah, however Gakpo, who has been linked with Tottenham, confirmed he might nonetheless flourish after an inconsistent spell.
The Dutch ahead collected Gravenberch’s Fifty fifth-minute go, turned and drilled an outstanding low strike that whistled previous Lukas Hornicek from 25 yards.
Willock restored Newcastle’s benefit simply two minutes later.
Once more Liverpool had been responsible of sloppy defending, with Yoane Wissa’s burst pushing them again earlier than Willock danced previous Jeremie Frimpong to web with a nice end from the sting of the realm.
However Newcastle choked on the final, with Corridor rashly fouling debutant winger Munoz and Szoboszlai lashing the spot-kick into the highest nook.