Dramatic Opening Weekend Draw at St James' Park
Liverpool began the Andoni Iraola era with a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St James' Park, rescuing a point with a stoppage-time penalty from Dominik Szoboszlai. The result came in a match that featured an early Newcastle goal, a late Liverpool fightback, and a minute's applause in memory of Kevin Keegan.
The hosts took the lead after just five minutes when Anthony Elanga finished a counter-attack, as reported by multiple outlets. Cody Gakpo equalised for Liverpool in the second half, but Joe Willock restored Newcastle's advantage. Szoboszlai converted the late penalty after Lewis Hall was adjudged to have fouled Victor Munoz, securing a dramatic draw.
New Managers, New Eras
The match marked the first competitive game in charge for both new head coaches. Andoni Iraola took charge of Liverpool following Arne Slot's departure, while Matthias Jaissle led Newcastle after Eddie Howe's exit. Both clubs underwent significant summer upheaval, with Newcastle losing key players Bruno Guimaraes, Sandro Tonali, and Anthony Gordon, as reported by several sources.
Liverpool also saw Mohamed Salah depart, with The Independent reporting he moved to Turkey. Iraola had admitted his squad was "thin" in some areas, according to the same outlet. Newcastle spent over $191 million on five new players, including goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek, as reported by CNET.
Keegan Tribute
Before kick-off, both sets of fans paid tribute to Kevin Keegan, who died in July at the age of 75 after a battle with cancer. The Guardian reported a minute of applause and a mosaic of shirts on the pitch inside the centre circle, with former players including Faustino Asprilla flying in for the tribute. Keegan was a legendary figure at both clubs, as noted by several sources.
Player Performances
BBC Sport's player ratings highlighted several individual performances. Newcastle goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek made a flying save to deny Florian Wirtz in the first half, earning praise for a solid Premier League debut. Amar Dedic also impressed on his first appearance for Newcastle, days after completing a £30m move from Benfica. The Guardian's ratings noted Anthony Elanga's cool finish for the opener, while Yoane Wissa was singled out for his aggressive display and assist for Willock's goal.
Liverpool's performance drew criticism. The Daily Express rated several players poorly, with Alexander Isak earning a 3/10 and the team described as not deserving to win. The paper gave Alisson 5, Jeremie Frimpong 4, Jeremy Jacquet 6, Virgil van Dijk 6, and Milos Kerkez 4. Ryan Gravenberch received a 3/10, while Szoboszlai, Wirtz, Gakpo, and Ngumoha were also rated.
Controversy Over Substitution Rule
A new Premier League rule became a talking point. SPORTbible reported that substituted players have 10 seconds to leave the pitch, otherwise the entering player must wait one minute. When Rio Ngumoha was substituted in the 63rd minute, he took his time leaving the field, and referee Stuart Attwell did not enforce the rule. Gary Neville noticed the delay on co-commentary for Sky Sports, according to the same report. Fans on X criticised the non-enforcement, with one writing: "To the shock of no one. Rio is allowed to take more than 10 seconds to leave the field."
Looking Ahead
The draw leaves both teams with a point from their opening fixture. Newcastle's winless run against Liverpool in the Premier League extended to 19 matches, as reported by The Independent. Iraola will look to build on the late comeback, while Jaissle's side will rue conceding from the penalty spot after leading twice.