Dominik Szoboszlai converted a 99th-minute penalty to secure a 2-2 draw for Liverpool against Newcastle United at St James’ Park on Sunday, marking a mixed start to Andoni Iraola’s reign as manager. Newcastle twice took the lead through Anthony Elanga and Joe Willock before Victor Munoz won a stoppage-time penalty after being fouled by Lewis Hall, allowing Szoboszlai to level the score in dramatic fashion.
Penalty Rescues Liverpool From Defeat
Although Liverpool had never lost on the opening weekend of a Premier League season since 2012-13, they came close to breaking that streak on Tyneside. Iraola said his team did not deserve to lose, noting that although the result was not what they wanted before kickoff, the players had earned the point and perhaps more. He added that the team never gave up, which made the equaliser even sweeter given it arrived in the closing seconds of the match.
Cody Gakpo, meanwhile, produced one of the more encouraging performances of the afternoon, scoring a well-taken goal to briefly level the match before Newcastle regained the lead through Willock. Victor Munoz, signed this summer, also impressed on his debut by winning the decisive penalty after replacing teenager Rio Ngumoha in the second half.
Penalty Rescues Point But Concerns Remain
Despite the late reprieve, pundit Pat Nevin suggested that Liverpool did not resemble a top-four side on the day and pointed to a lack of creativity from Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, both of whom arrived for substantial fees last summer. Consequently, questions remain over how quickly the pair can settle into the side under their new manager.
Defensively, Liverpool struggled to cope with Newcastle’s counter-attacks, conceding both goals in transition. As a result, Iraola may need to add defensive reinforcements before the transfer window closes, particularly since his side has now conceded more fast-break goals than any other Premier League club since last season began. Nevertheless, Iraola said afterwards that he had liked much of what he saw from his players, especially the energy shown by his substitutes late on.
