Szoboszlai penalty earns Liverpool 2-2 draw against Newcastle in Iraola’s debut
Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty in the 99th minute to secure a 2-2 draw for Liverpool against Newcastle United at St James’ Park. This result marked a debut point for Liverpool’s new head coach, Andoni Iraola, denying Matthias Jaissle’s Newcastle a victory in his first managerial match.
The match saw Newcastle take the lead twice. Anthony Elanga opened the scoring in the fifth minute, netting his first league goal for the club after being set up by Will Osula. This early goal highlighted Liverpool’s midfield issues, as Osula was able to get past the visitors’ centre-backs from a single pass originating from the edge of the Newcastle area.
Midfield Concerns for Liverpool
Liverpool’s midfield performance drew criticism, with former player Jamie Carragher describing it as “madness” on social media. He noted that the midfield was consistently pushing forward, a pattern observed throughout the pre-season. This tactical approach left Liverpool’s defense vulnerable to counterattacks, a problem that became evident with both of Newcastle’s goals.
Cody Gakpo brought Liverpool level in the 55th minute with a low drive that beat goalkeeper Lukas Hornicek. However, Newcastle quickly regained their lead just three minutes later. Yoane Wissa was instrumental in the build-up, beating several players before feeding Joe Willock, who restored the hosts’ advantage.
The tactical frailties displayed by Liverpool were reminiscent of issues from the previous season. The midfield trio of Ryan Gravenberch, Dominik Szoboszlai, and Florian Wirtz showed technical quality in possession but lacked defensive awareness. This allowed Elanga and Willock to exploit central areas, leaving debutant defenders Jérémy Jacquet and Milos Kerkez isolated against rapid counterattacks.
Former Liverpool forward Daniel Sturridge echoed these concerns, suggesting that Iraola should sign a new defensive midfielder before the transfer window closes on September 1. Sturridge noted that while Gravenberch’s consistent play and Liverpool’s previous league title win might have shifted the philosophy, the current midfield players are naturally more attacking.
Dramatic Late Equaliser
Despite the defensive struggles, Liverpool pushed for an equalizer. The opportunity arose in the 96th minute when Lewis Hall challenged substitute Victor Munoz inside the penalty area, leading to a spot-kick. Following a VAR check, Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up and converted the penalty with a strike into the top corner, securing a point for Liverpool in the 99th minute.
Iraola acknowledged the effort from his players, stating that he did not believe they deserved to lose the game. He also highlighted the impact of players coming off the bench, noting that they provided much-needed energy. Jaissle, on the other hand, expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance despite the late equalizer, praising their fighting spirit.
The match was also marked by pre-match tributes to former Newcastle and Liverpool great Kevin Keegan, who passed away last month at the age of 75. A “King Kev” tifo was displayed, and a mosaic of shirts was presented in the centre circle before kick-off. The dramatic 2-2 draw ensured the points were shared in a pulsating encounter at St James’ Park.
Liverpool will now prepare for their next Premier League fixture against Nottingham Forest at Anfield on August 30.
Source: skysports.com
