Szoboszlai penalty secures late draw for Liverpool against Newcastle
Match Overview
Liverpool secured a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United at St James’ Park, with Dominik Szoboszlai converting a penalty in the 99th minute. This result marked Andoni Iraola’s debut point as Liverpool’s coach and occurred during Matthias Jaissle’s first managerial match for Newcastle. The game saw Newcastle take the lead twice, only for Liverpool to equalise on both occasions.
Newcastle opened the scoring in the fifth minute through Anthony Elanga, who netted his first league goal for the club after receiving a pass from Will Osula. This early goal highlighted what Iraola described as Liverpool’s tendency to “overdo things in the first phase.”
Liverpool’s Cody Gakpo levelled the score in the 55th minute with a low drive past Lukas Hornicek. However, Newcastle quickly regained their lead three minutes later when Joe Willock scored, following impressive work from Yoane Wissa.
Key Moments and Player Performances
The match’s dramatic conclusion came in the 96th minute when Lewis Hall’s challenge on substitute Victor Munoz resulted in a penalty for Liverpool. Szoboszlai then converted the spot-kick in the 99th minute, securing a point for his side.
According to one report, Gary Neville described Szoboszlai’s penalty as “a huge moment” for Andoni Iraola. Despite the late equaliser, the performance was described as disjointed for Liverpool, suggesting that some of the team’s weaknesses from the previous season persist.
Concerns were raised about Liverpool’s midfield, particularly the pairing of Ryan Gravenberch and Dominik Szoboszlai, who were noted for being more offensively-minded and leaving the defence exposed. This was evident in Newcastle’s opening goal, where both players were in the opposition area when Anthony Elanga scored.
Florian Wirtz, a summer signing for Liverpool, also drew attention for his performance. Despite registering a shot on target in the first half, his overall display against Newcastle was seen as underwhelming, with some questioning his fit in the starting line-up, particularly on the left wing or in his preferred position.
Coaches’ Reactions and Team Challenges
Newcastle head coach Matthias Jaissle expressed satisfaction with his team’s performance, stating, “The guys were fighting till the end, they put their heart on the pitch.” He acknowledged the disappointment of not securing all three points but highlighted the team’s effort given the short preparation time.
Liverpool head coach Andoni Iraola felt his team did not deserve to lose and valued the effort from his players. He also noted the positive impact of players coming off the bench, stating they “gave us energy,” which contributed to the late equaliser.
The match also saw Alexander Isak return to St James’ Park, but his performance was described as ineffective. His struggles, coupled with those of Wirtz, suggest ongoing issues for Liverpool, despite the arrival of a new manager. The team’s defensive vulnerabilities and the need for further strengthening before the transfer window closes were also highlighted.
The draw means Liverpool secured a point in their first match of the season under Andoni Iraola, with the final score at St James’ Park being 2-2.
Source: skysports.com
