Dominik Szoboszlai scored a stoppage-time penalty to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw for Liverpool against Newcastle United at St James’ Park in Andoni Iraola‘s first Premier League game in charge of the Reds.
Anthony Elanga gave Newcastle the lead in the first half before Cody Gakpo equalised shortly after the interval.
Joe Willock then restored Newcastle’s advantage with his first Premier League goal since 2024, but Liverpool were handed a lifeline in stoppage time when Lewis Hall fouled Victor Munoz inside the box.
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Szoboszlai kept his composure to convert the penalty with the final kick of the game and earn Liverpool a point from a pulsating contest.
Mixed start for Iraola
The result gives Iraola an unbeaten start to his Liverpool reign, but the Spaniard will have concerns after an unconvincing performance from his side.
Liverpool showed resilience to fight back twice, although they struggled to impose themselves for long periods against a determined Newcastle team.
Iraola arrived at Anfield after guiding Bournemouth to European qualification last season with an attacking, high-energy style that earned widespread praise.
He now faces the much bigger challenge of rebuilding a Liverpool side that finished fifth last season and closing the gap on reigning champions Arsenal.
Liverpool begin post-Salah era
Liverpool began a Premier League campaign without Mohamed Salah for the first time since 2016, following the Egyptian forward’s departure.
Defender Ibrahima Konaté has also left for Real Madrid, while Andrew Robertson moved to Tottenham, further increasing the scale of the transition facing Iraola.
Debutant Jeremy Jacquet endured an uncertain afternoon alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, while 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha struggled to fill the attacking void left by Salah.
The Egyptian, meanwhile, scored his first goals for Trabzonspor as Liverpool began their new era with a performance that ultimately needed Szoboszlai’s late intervention to avoid defeat.
Before kick-off, supporters of both clubs joined together in an emotional tribute to former Newcastle manager and Liverpool striker Kevin Keegan, who recently died aged 75.
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