Late penalty rescues Liverpool at St James' Park
Dominik Szoboszlai converted a stoppage-time penalty in the ninth minute of added time to earn Liverpool a 2-2 draw at Newcastle United, a result that extended their unbeaten run at St James' Park to 10 games. The Hungary international struck after Lewis Hall was adjudged to have brought down substitute Victor Munoz in the penalty area, a decision that proved decisive in a match widely described as a thriller fitting the memory of Kevin Keegan.
The crowd of 52,630 had paid an emotional tribute to Keegan before kick-off, with both sets of players wearing number seven shirts during the warm-up. The match itself delivered the entertainment such an occasion demanded, though it was tough on Newcastle, who looked to have secured the win through Joe Willock's 57th-minute strike just seconds after his introduction.
Newcastle's early promise and Liverpool's response
Newcastle took the lead inside five minutes. Amar Dedic, a debutant, slid the ball into the path of Will Osula, whose pass released Anthony Elanga. The Sweden international raced away from Milos Kerkez and slotted a right-foot shot across Alisson Becker into the far corner. The goal was Elanga's first in the Premier League since his £55m move from Nottingham Forest, ending a drought that had lasted through the entire previous league season. It came after Liverpool's attack on four minutes had been cut out by Dedic, and it sparked a raucous response from the home crowd.
Liverpool's response was immediate, with goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek making a fine save from a deflected Florian Wirtz attempt in the 18th minute. But the visitors struggled to trouble Hornicek before half-time, mustering nine shots without a save of real difficulty. At the break, Liverpool Echo journalist Ian Doyle was critical of full-backs Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez, describing both as "particularly shocking" and noting that each was on a yellow card. According to Sofascore figures, Frimpong lost possession eight times in the opening half without producing an accurate cross, while Kerkez was caught for pace by Elanga for the goal and lost the ball nine times.
The equaliser arrived in the 55th minute when Cody Gakpo smashed a low 25-yard drive past Hornicek. The lead lasted barely three minutes: Yoane Wissa, lively throughout, set up substitute Joe Willock, who restored Newcastle's advantage within about three minutes of coming on. It was Wissa's best performance yet for Newcastle, in the view of several reports, and the goal seemed to have settled the outcome.
The late penalty and the debate it sparked
The decisive moment came in the 96th minute, when substitute Victor Munoz was brought down by Lewis Hall. Referee Stuart Attwell awarded the penalty, and VAR confirmed the decision. Sky Sports pundit Gary Neville said VAR was right not to overturn it. "Hall has been incredible but that is not going to be overturned," Neville said. "One thing I recognised straightaway was there was no touch on the ball. It looked like a penalty right away." The Premier League's Pro Ref account later confirmed on X that the on-field decision had been checked and confirmed by VAR.
Despite speculation that Alexander Isak might take the spot kick on his return to Tyneside, it was Szoboszlai who stepped up and converted. Isak, who moved to Liverpool for a fee reported at £130m, endured a miserable return to the club he left, jeered by the home fans and producing little of note. The Daily Star rated his performance 3/10, noting he was "bullied again" and "jeered continuously."
New managers, differing takeaways
The match brought contrasting emotions for two managers in their first official games. Newcastle's Matthias Jaissle, appointed just weeks ago and working with a squad that could still be reshaped, fielded three debutants, including 18-year-old Sean Steur in a central midfield role alongside Lewis Miley. The Guardian noted that the pair formed a double pivot with a combined age of 38 and fewer than 50 league starts between them, replacing an expensive midfield sold for north of £180m. Jaissle will have been delighted with much of what he saw, with reports praising his "vertical football" approach and the fans' embrace of it.
Liverpool's Andoni Iraola, meanwhile, headed back across the Pennines relieved but with questions to answer. The Reds were unconvincing for long spells, and former defender Jamie Carragher was scathing about the midfield setup. "LFC Midfield all bombing forward happened all pre-season, madness!" he wrote. "Again! This midfield cannot work, I said it before a competitive ball was kicked." GIVEMESPORT echoed the critique, noting that Ryan Gravenberch and Szoboszlai, who started in deeper midfield positions, often pushed high, leaving space between the lines that Newcastle exploited.
Bright spots amid the criticism
One positive for Liverpool was the debut of Ronald Araujo, who came on for fellow debutant Jeremy Jacquet in the 70th minute. Pat Nevin, speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, was impressed: "There wasn't a great deal in it but you can see the weaknesses that Liverpool had last season have not gone away. The defence doesn't look quite there. I would say Ronald Araujo came on and looked quite impressive. very, very powerful and very, very strong. He might be a massive part of the answer." Ian Doyle wrote in the Liverpool Echo that Araujo was "solid" on his first Premier League appearance and highlighted his long-throw threat. His statistics, via Sofascore, showed 26 of 29 passes completed (90%), four duels won, three possessions lost, two clearances, one block, and one tackle.
Newcastle also had reasons for encouragement. Beyond the debutants and the performance of Wissa, the new-look side showed energy and a clear identity, even if they ultimately shipped a point. As The i Paper put it, "there is reason to believe in what Matthias Jaissle is trying to construct despite the late heartbreak."
The draw leaves both sides with work to do. Liverpool's vulnerabilities, particularly in defence and midfield, were exposed, while Newcastle will rue the defensive lapse that cost them a statement win. For neutrals, the match was a fitting tribute to Keegan: full-throttle, dramatic, and flawed in all the right ways.