Kevin Keegan tribute at St James' Park
Newcastle United and Liverpool paid an emotional tribute to Kevin Keegan before their Premier League encounter at St James' Park, with both sets of players, staff, and supporters honouring the former player and manager of both clubs. Keegan died on July 20 from stomach cancer at the age of 75. Members of his family and former players, including Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley, and Faustino Asprilla, were in the directors' box. Players warmed up wearing shirts bearing 'Keegan 7', and a giant mosaic made from tributes was displayed on the centre circle, as reported by LBC.
A frantic opener
The match itself was a frenetic affair, as described by Sports Mole. Newcastle took the lead after just five minutes through Anthony Elanga, who raced away from Milos Kerkez and slotted a right-foot shot across Alisson Becker. The move began with Amar Dedic sliding the ball to Will Osula, who timed a pass to Elanga, as detailed by LBC. That goal, according to Sports Mole, was the earliest Liverpool have ever conceded in the opening gameweek of a Premier League season. Liverpool had been winless in 18 Premier League away matches when falling 1-0 down before this game, a record that was tested once again.
A tale of two halves
The first half saw chances for both sides. Lukas Hornicek made a fine save from Florian Wirtz's deflected 18th-minute attempt, while Lewis Miley's 22nd-minute pass allowed Dedic to fire a shot which clipped Kerkez for a corner. Jeremy Jacquet prevented Osula from latching on to Wissa's through-ball. Dominik Szoboszlai drilled a 26th-minute free-kick into the wall after being tugged by Wissa, as LBC reported.
Liverpool came out stronger after the interval. Szoboszlai caused problems with an early corner, but Harvey Barnes and Elanga broke at pace without punishing the visitors. Miley was unable to test Alisson with a 48th-minute effort. Cody Gakpo, who had curled a 53rd-minute strike just over, then rifled a skidding 25-yard drive past the keeper two minutes later to level the scores, according to LBC.
Willock's instant impact
Newcastle quickly regained the lead. LBC reported that Yoane Wissa, who turned in his best performance yet for Newcastle, used his quick feet to set up Joe Willock, who stepped inside and shot across Alisson to score in the 57th minute, just seconds after being introduced as a substitute. Sports Mole highlighted Willock's exceptional close control and curling finish. Newcastle were within seconds of ending a 19-game winless run against Liverpool in the Premier League, but the match was turned on its head in stoppage time.
Stoppage-time drama
Lewis Hall was adjudged to have brought down substitute Victor Munoz in the area, and referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the spot, much to Hall's anguish and surprise. Dominik Szoboszlai converted the penalty in the ninth minute of added time, clinching a 2-2 draw for Liverpool and extending their unbeaten run at St James' Park to 10 games. LBC described it as a 'thriller' of which Keegan would have been proud.
Szoboszlai's penalty also ensured Liverpool avoided defeat on matchday one for the 14th season in a row, the longest active streak of any Premier League club, according to Sports Mole. Liverpool have not lost an opening gameweek top-flight match since the 2012-13 season, when they lost 3-0 to West Bromwich Albion.
Individual performances
The match was notable for the return of Alexander Isak to St James' Park. The £130million man, who was signed partly to replace Wissa, as LBC noted, received a hostile reception from the home fans and had a miserable return. LBC reported that Isak missed two big chances, won just two of his six ground duels, and failed to complete a single dribble. Andoni Iraola, Liverpool's manager, commented on Isak's performance at the post-game press conference, saying: "I think he expected a little bit the atmosphere, I don't think [it] has been a big surprise for him." The match was played in front of a crowd of 52,630.
Looking ahead
Both managers were making their Premier League debuts, with Matthias Jaissle having had just weeks to work with his Newcastle squad. LBC noted that Jaissle would have been delighted with much of what he saw, while Iraola headed back "relieved, but with questions to be answered." Liverpool's next Premier League action is against Nottingham Forest, and they have a Champions League draw on Thursday, as reported by Sports Mole.