Liverpool secured a late draw against Newcastle at St James’ Park, with Dominik Szoboszlai converting a 99th-minute penalty to salvage a point in a 2-2 encounter. The result brought a sense of relief for Liverpool’s new manager, Andoni Iraola, whose side had trailed twice during the match. For Newcastle, the game marked the beginning of Matthias Jaissle’s tenure as manager, following his succession of Eddie Howe three weeks prior.
The match was characterized by an intense, chaotic style of play from both sides. Iraola noted that his team did not deserve to lose and praised their resilience in fighting back. Despite the late equalizer, the performance highlighted areas where Liverpool’s squad depth and overall cohesion need improvement, particularly in creativity and defensive solidity.
High-Octane Encounter on Tyneside
Before the match commenced, a banner in the Gallowgate End displayed a quotation from the late Kevin Keegan, emphasizing dreams in football. The game itself quickly unfolded into a high-energy affair, with both managers seemingly aiming for an organized chaos on the pitch. Newcastle’s William Osula made an early impact, setting up Anthony Elanga for the opening goal just five minutes into the game after Ryan Gravenberch lost possession. Elanga’s shot found the net beyond Alisson’s reach, giving Jaissle a perfect start to his managerial stint at Newcastle.
Liverpool’s defence, particularly Milos Kerkez, struggled against Elanga’s pace on the right flank. While Iraola is known for his pressing philosophy, Liverpool’s more effective moments came when they managed to retain possession and impose their technical superiority. Florian Wirtz, the visiting playmaker, occasionally managed to unsettle Newcastle’s defence, though he was substituted midway through the second half.
Jaissle’s influence on Newcastle was evident, with the team displaying a re-energized and sharper pressing game. Despite inheriting a squad without key players from the previous season, Jaissle trusted young talents like 18-year-old Sean Steur, recently arrived from Ajax, and Lewis Miley in central midfield. Defenders Malick Thiaw and Sven Botman performed well in central defence, and Amar Dedic, a £30m signing from Benfica, shone at right-back.
The return of former Newcastle striker Alexander Isak to St James’ Park was met with hostility from the home crowd, who chanted “rat, rat, rat” upon his arrival. Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a reported £125m last summer, had a quiet afternoon, missing his sole chance. Instead, it was Cody Gakpo who brought Liverpool level with a first-time shot from outside the area, beating goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek.
Late Drama and Squad Concerns
Newcastle regained the lead after Joe Willock, who came on as a substitute for the limping Osula, curled a shot past Alisson following a superb pass from Yoane Wissa. Willock’s goal sparked jubilant celebrations among his teammates, who mobbed him on the pitch. With Liverpool struggling for creativity, the game appeared to be heading for a Newcastle victory until deep into injury time.
Substitute Victor Munoz was fouled in the penalty area by Newcastle left-back Lewis Hall, leading to the decisive penalty. Szoboszlai then powerfully struck the spot-kick into the roof of the net, securing a dramatic equalizer for Liverpool. This marked Liverpool’s second late goal at St James’ Park in consecutive August visits, following Rio Ngumoha’s 100th-minute winner in the previous season.
Despite the point gained, Iraola faces significant challenges. The team’s defensive vulnerabilities were exposed, particularly their susceptibility to counter-attacks, having conceded nine goals via fast breaks since the start of last season, more than any other Premier League team. The lack of a dedicated defensive midfielder was also apparent, with Iraola deploying Alexis Mac Allister just ahead of the back four after Newcastle took the lead.
Concerns also linger over the attacking output of key signings like Wirtz and Isak, both of whom were acquired for nine-figure fees last summer. Their connection and overall performance will need to improve. The future of Gakpo remains uncertain, with reports linking Liverpool to other attacking players such as Paris St-Germain’s Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, and having had two bids rejected for Brighton’s Yankuba Minteh. Iraola has expressed satisfaction with aspects of his team’s energy and fighting spirit, particularly from substitutes, but acknowledged the need for more options and improvements in key areas.
The performance of Victor Munoz on his debut from the bench was a positive, as he won the late penalty. However, Rio Ngumoha, who will turn 18 next week, struggled on the right wing, a position he is less accustomed to. Iraola’s decision to substitute Ngumoha after just over an hour highlighted his difficulties. Szoboszlai emphasized the team’s commitment, stating, “We will never give up. I can guarantee you that.”
Iraola’s remaining bench options after bringing on Munoz and Mac Allister included Giorgi Mamardashvili, Ronald Araujo, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, and Lewis Koumas. This highlights the need for increased squad depth and quality as Liverpool aims for a top-four finish this season.
Source: bbc.com
Ama Serwah
Yaw Appiah
Evelyn Mensah
Kwame Ofori