Soccer-Newcastle draw 2-2 with Liverpool as former hero Keegan hailed

Late Penalty Rescues a Point for Liverpool

Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty in the ninth minute of added time to earn Liverpool a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday, in a match that doubled as a tribute to the late Kevin Keegan.

The Hungary international's spot-kick, which he blasted into the top corner, extended Liverpool's unbeaten run at St James' Park to 10 games. The penalty was awarded after Newcastle defender Lewis Hall was adjudged to have brought down substitute Victor Munoz, much to Hall's anguish and surprise.

Liverpool manager Andoni Iraola, who headed back to Merseyside relieved but with questions to be answered, said afterwards that his side did not deserve to lose. "It's probably not the result you want when you come in before the game but we definitely deserve this point and even more," he told BBC Radio 5 Live. "The team has never given up and we've recovered one point and probably the taste is better because we score in the last minute."

A defeat would have been Liverpool's first on the opening weekend since 2012-13, and while the draw will do wonders for their spirit, it will not mask their concerns.

Keegan Remembered at St James' Park

The game came just weeks after Keegan died aged 75 in July, and both sets of players emerged for the warm-up wearing number seven shirts as an emotional tribute. The VIP seats were filled with former Newcastle forwards paying their respects, including former England internationals Alan Shearer, Les Ferdinand and Peter Beardsley, as well as mercurial Colombian Faustino Asprilla, sporting a bucket hat in the club's colours. Liverpool icon Kenny Dalglish, who replaced Keegan when he left Liverpool for Hamburg in 1977, was also present. Fans sang Keegan's name throughout the match, which The Star described as a fitting tribute and "more grit than glitter", a compelling spectacle worthy of his memory.

Elanga's Dream Start and Gakpo's Equaliser

Anthony Elanga gave Newcastle a dream start, scoring in the fifth minute. The Sweden international raced away from Milos Kerkez before slotting a right-foot shot across Alisson Becker and into the far corner, capping an incisive counter-attack set up by impressive debutant Amar Dedic and Will Osula.

Liverpool's response was immediate, with goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek making a fine save from Florian Wirtz's deflected attempt. Cody Gakpo levelled early in the second half, picking up the ball outside the box and advancing before drilling a shot into the corner.

Willock's Quick Strike and the Late Drama

Joe Willock came off the bench to score what looked like the winner for Newcastle in the 57th minute, just seconds after his introduction. But deep into stoppage time, Hall's clumsy challenge on Munoz gave Liverpool their chance from the spot. Many had expected Alexander Isak to take the penalty, but Szoboszlai took control.

"We will never give up. I can guarantee you that," Szoboszlai said, echoing Iraola's own determination: "I've liked a lot of things from the team and will never give up."

Isak's Miserable Return

The match was notable for the hostile reception given to Alexander Isak on his return to St James' Park. The Sweden striker, signed from Newcastle in a drawn-out saga last September, was booed relentlessly whenever he touched the ball, with TSN describing his return as "miserable". The jeers from the home crowd were in stark contrast to the rapturous cheers that greeted Elanga's opener.

Isak, who had 28 touches and looked fired up, wasted a brilliant opportunity in the second half - the kind of chance he would have taken regularly during his time at Newcastle. Both Isak and Wirtz were signed for nine-figure fees last summer, and while Wirtz started positively, he was replaced just after the hour mark after Newcastle went 2-1 up.

Liverpool's Concerns and Praise

Former Scotland winger Pat Nevin, speaking to 5 Live, was critical of Liverpool's performance. "You're expecting Liverpool to get top four this season at least but they didn't look like a top four team today," he said. "There's a definite lack of creativity and somehow they must get the best out of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak because you certainly didn't get the best out of them today."

Cody Gakpo was widely praised as Liverpool's best player, taking his goal brilliantly. Victor Munoz made his Liverpool debut from the bench and won the late penalty, though Iraola's decision to take off Rio Ngumoha after just over an hour summed up his struggles.

Defensively, both Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong had poor games, and the lack of a defensive midfielder showed as Iraola used Mac Allister just ahead of the back four after Willock's goal. Liverpool have now conceded more goals via fast breaks than any other Premier League team since the start of last season - nine in total.

Iraola's bench options were limited, with only Giorgi Mamardashvili, Ronald Araujo, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Trey Nyoni, James McConnell and Lewis Koumas available after the 63rd-minute substitutions. Off the pitch, Gakpo's future remains uncertain, with Liverpool linked to Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, and having had two bids rejected for Yankuba Minteh.

Newcastle manager Matthias Jaissle, who has had just weeks to work with a squad that could still be reshaped before the transfer window closes, was delighted with much of what he saw from his players. Yoane Wissa turned in his best performance yet for Newcastle, while the attendance of 52,630 witnessed a match that, as TSN put it, was a "Premier League thriller" - tough on the hosts, who were undone at the death.