Liverpool secured a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, with Dominik Szoboszlai converting a 99th-minute penalty to salvage a point. This result provided a sense of relief for Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, whose side had trailed twice during the match. Iraola expressed that his team did not deserve to lose and praised their resilience in fighting back.
The draw marks Liverpool’s avoidance of an opening weekend defeat since the 2012-13 season. While the point is seen as a boost for team spirit, it also highlighted areas of concern for Iraola, particularly regarding squad depth and defensive vulnerabilities. Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin commented that Liverpool did not resemble a top-four team in this performance, suggesting a need for more player arrivals.
Concerns over key players and defensive issues
Much attention was on Liverpool’s new signings, Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, both acquired for nine-figure fees last summer. Isak, who previously played for Newcastle, was met with boos from the home crowd whenever he touched the ball. He had 28 touches and appeared motivated but missed a significant opportunity in the second half. Wirtz started positively but was substituted after Newcastle took a 2-1 lead. Both players will need to improve their overall output and connection within the team in the coming weeks.
Defensively, Liverpool struggled, with full-backs Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong having what were described as poor games. The team was particularly vulnerable to counter-attacks, conceding both goals in this manner. The absence of a dedicated defensive midfielder was also apparent, with Iraola deploying Alexis Mac Allister just ahead of the back four after Joe Willock put Newcastle ahead.
Liverpool has conceded nine goals from fast breaks in all competitions since the start of last season, more than any other Premier League team. These defensive issues will be a focus for Iraola as he continues to assess his squad.
Transfer window activity and debut performances
The transfer window remains open, and Liverpool has been linked with several attacking players, including Paris St-Germain‘s Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, and has had two bids rejected for Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh. There is speculation that if Liverpool brings in two more attacking players, Cody Gakpo might leave. Gakpo, however, was noted as Liverpool’s best player against Newcastle, scoring a well-taken goal.
Spanish forward Victor Munoz made his debut for Liverpool from the bench and made a positive impact, winning the late penalty that led to the equaliser. Munoz had reportedly given Newcastle positive indications about joining them during the summer, but Liverpool activated his release clause from Osasuna. Rio Ngumoha, an English teenager, started the match but struggled on the right wing and was replaced after just over an hour. Iraola’s preference for wingers who can play on both sides suggests this experiment might continue once more attackers join the squad.
Iraola’s bench options after Munoz and Mac Allister entered the game included Giorgi Mamardashvili, Ronald Araujo, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, and Lewis Koumas, indicating a need for more depth. Despite the challenges, Iraola expressed satisfaction with aspects of his team’s performance, particularly their energy and the impact of substitutes, stating, “I’ve liked a lot of the things I’ve seen from the team.”
Emotional tribute and managerial perspectives
The match also served as an emotional tribute to the recently departed Kevin Keegan, a figure revered by both clubs. Before kick-off, an emotional tribute was paid to Keegan, who won seven trophies in six years with Liverpool, including three titles and the European Cup. His impact at Newcastle, particularly in steering the club to Second Division safety in 1992 as manager, was also highlighted.
Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle, in his first game in charge, saw his team take the lead through Anthony Elanga, who scored his first league goal since a £55m transfer from Nottingham Forest. Elanga’s goal came within five minutes of the new season, breaking a goalless league season for him. Jaissle is likely to be afforded more patience than Iraola, given the context of Newcastle’s squad changes and recent losses.
The game featured a midfield pairing for Newcastle of Lewis Miley and Sean Steur, with a combined age of 38 and less than 50 league starts. They made mistakes but were praised for seeking positive options. Yoane Wissa, who had a sluggish previous season, showed renewed energy in the number 10 role. This match marked Iraola’s first game in charge of Liverpool, following an 18-game unbeaten run with Bournemouth in the 2025-26 season.
Source: bbc.com