Newcastle 2-2 Liverpool: Szoboszlai rescues Iraola's league debut

Anthony Elanga put Newcastle ahead in the 5th minute, assisted by William Osula off a counter-attack. Liverpool had the ball for most of what followed — 60.8 percent possession, 27 shots, six corners — and still found themselves behind twice before the final whistle.

Cody Gakpo equalised in the 55th minute, assisted by Ryan Gravenberch. Two minutes later, Joe Willock — on the pitch for roughly a minute as a substitute — restored Newcastle's lead, assisted by Yoane Wissa. Szoboszlai converted from the spot in the 99th minute. Lukas Hornicek dived the right way. It went in regardless.

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The pattern in both concessions was the same: the centre of the pitch left open in transition. For Elanga's opener, Liverpool's midfield was committed upfield and the counter ran into space. For Willock's goal, Gravenberch lost the ball attempting a backheel in midfield and Newcastle went straight through the vacated centre — two minutes after Liverpool had levelled.

With Szoboszlai and Florian Wirtz pushed high and Gravenberch stepping into the box, nobody consistently held the ground in front of the back four. 60.8 percent possession and 27 shots is control of the ball. It is not control of the game — Liverpool trailed twice behind those numbers.

The full-backs had a hard afternoon. Jeremie Frimpong and Milos Kerkez were both booked in the 30th minute, both chasing men who had gone past them.

The debutants were the clearest positive. Victor Munoz, on as a substitute, was direct and willing to take his man on. Jeremy Jacquet — 20 years old, starting a league debut at St James' Park — was composed on the ball. Ronald Araujo's cameo was solid.

THE MOOD

Among Liverpool supporters after the match, the loudest complaint was the midfield. Both goals conceded looked familiar — the same exposed centre, the same transition problem as last season. The backheel drew particular frustration: 'you can't do that there if you're the 6', one supporter said.

Alexander Isak, making his first league return to St James' Park since his £125m move to Liverpool in September 2025, went scoreless. Newcastle supporters chanted 'rat' at him on arrival. His display drew heavy criticism among Liverpool fans — 'Newcastle fans are in Isak's head', as one put it — and one supporter reached for a Balotelli comparison for the visible frustration.

A patience camp pushed back. New coach, new system, matchday one — and fans recalled that Iraola's Bournemouth started badly before finishing sixth and reaching Europe for the first time in the club's history. One supporter called it the most entertaining Liverpool performance in a year.

The consensus bright spot among fans matched the analysis here: the debutants, with many wanting Munoz to start next week.

This was also Liverpool's first league match without Mohamed Salah since 2017. Salah left in June 2026 when his contract expired. Andy Robertson joined Tottenham on a free this summer. Curtis Jones was sold to Inter for £30m. Iraola inherited a squad in transition and took a point from a ground where Liverpool trailed twice. The midfield question did not go away.