Liverpool escape with late equaliser at Newcastle on Iraola's debut
Andoni Iraola's Liverpool salvaged a 2-2 draw at Newcastle after Dominik Szoboszlai converted a 99th-minute penalty, in a match that exposed defensive and attacking gaps in the squad.
Liverpool opened their Premier League season with a 2-2 draw away at Newcastle, coming from behind twice to avoid what would have been their first opening-weekend defeat since 2012-13. Dominik Szoboszlai scored the equaliser from the penalty spot in the 99th minute, after substitute Victor Munoz won the spot-kick shortly after replacing Rio Ngumoha.
It was the first competitive match in charge for new head coach Andoni Iraola, who said his side did not deserve to lose and praised their refusal to give up, particularly the impact of players brought on from the bench.
More questions than answers
Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin said Liverpool did not look like a top-four side and pointed to a lack of creativity, adding that the club needs to get more out of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak. Isak, who joined from Newcastle for a large fee last year, was jeered by home fans throughout and wasted a good chance in the second half, while Wirtz was substituted shortly after Newcastle went 2-1 ahead.
Cody Gakpo was Liverpool's standout performer and scored well, though his future remains uncertain — he could leave before the transfer window closes if the club signs two more attacking players. Liverpool have been linked with Paris St-Germain duo Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, and have already had two bids turned down for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh.
Defensively, both Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong struggled at full-back, with Newcastle scoring both goals on the counter-attack. Liverpool have now conceded more goals from fast breaks than any other Premier League club since the start of last season. Szoboszlai said the team would keep fighting for the full 90 minutes and stressed the need to use the whole squad going forward.
