Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scored a penalty with the last kick of the game to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle in Andoni Iraola’s first match in charge of the Reds.
Anthony Elanga put Newcastle ahead in the first half before Cody Gakpo equalised soon after the interval.
Joe Willock’s first Premier League goal since 2024 restored Newcastle’s advantage, but Szoboszlai held his nerve to net with a stoppage-time penalty after Lewis Hall fouled Victor Munoz.
It was a mixed start for Iraola, who can take heart from his team’s refusal to accept defeat, but will be concerned by their unconvincing display.
For the first time since 2016, Liverpool kicked off a campaign without Egypt forward Mohamed Salah as its talisman, while Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson have also departed for Real Madrid and Tottenham, respectively.
Newcastle United vs Liverpool player ratings
Newcastle United: Lukáš Horníček (6.8/10), Amar Dedić (6.2/10), Malick Thiaw (6.5/10), Sven Botman (6.8/10), Lewis Hall (6.7/10), Lewis Miley (6.3/10), Sean Steur (6.0/10), Anthony Elanga (8.1/10), Yoane Wissa (6.4/10), Harvey Barnes (6.6/10), and William Osula (6.2/10).
Subs: Joe Willock (7.8/10), Jacob Ramsey (6.0/10), Jacob Murphy (5.9/10), Aladji Bamba (6.0/10), and Fabian Schär (6.0/10).
Liverpool: Alisson Becker (6.2/10), Jeremie Frimpong (5.5/10), Jérémy Jacquet (6.0/10), Virgil van Dijk (6.4/10), Milos Kerkez (7.2/10), Ryan Gravenberch (6.8/10), Dominik Szoboszlai (8.2/10), Florian Wirtz (6.5/10), Rio Ngumoha (6.3/10), Cody Gakpo (7.9/10), and Alexander Isak (6.1/10).
Subs: Alexis Mac Allister (6.6/10), Víctor Muñoz (6.2/10), Ronald Araújo (6.5/10), and Lewis Koumas (6.0/10).
(With inputs from AFP)
Published on Aug 23, 2026
