Dominik Szoboszlai’s 99th minute penalty gave Liverpool a second equalizer in a 2-2 draw with new-look Newcastle United at St. James’ Park on Sunday in a collision of new managers.
The Magpies led early through Anthony Elanga but saw the score line level when Cody Gakpo scored a classy low goal early in the second half.
FULL MATCH REPLAY — Newcastle United v Liverpool
Joe Willock came off the bench and had a quick answer for Newcastle, and their 2-1 lead nearly made it to the end, but Victor Munoz won a penalty off Lewis Hall in the sixth minute of stoppage time after a minimum of five were added to the 90.
Liverpool struggle out wide, Newcastle’s young midfield gets by
Both of Liverpool’s fullbacks arrived in dangerous places a-plenty. Yet they did it at the expense of their defensive positioning, and Newcastle found good fortune in the spaces behind them. The biggest problem here is that Matthias Jaissle acknowledged after the game that they felt that’s where their joy would be found and it was on both goals. It was worse on Jeremie Frimpong’s song thanks to some struggles from young Rio Ngumoha, and Liverpool will have to sort out their wide areas if they want to challenge for silverware this season. Fortunately for the Reds, new signing Jeremy Jacquet looked plenty good with the ball and can save Virgil van Dijk some legwork this season.
Newcastle, on the other hand, deserved a point and it wouldn’t have been too harsh on the visitors had the Magpies claimed all three on offer. And teenager Sean Steur combined with Lewis Miley to give Newcastle an adequate midfield in the side’s first game since selling Bruno Guimaraes and Sandro Tonali (They were also without injured Joelinton to complete the invisible trio). Both players tired and both Jacob Ramsey and Aladji Bamba weren’t bad in their stead, but Newcastle simply must buy a No. 1, no-doubt, already-proven center midfielder before the end of the week. If Man City is really willing to move Nico Gonzalez on to another side, that could do the trick nicely for Matthias Jaissle. The new boss’ ideas did impress against Liverpool.
Reds shouldn’t sell Cody Gakpo
The goal was terrific, but Cody Gakpo’s day was essentially Liverpool’s attacking day. His size and instincts work well with Florian Wirtz, who was also decent, and it’s just so wild that the Reds are considering selling the Dutchman — especially inside of the division. Yes, they may land Bradley Barcola or another first-choice option to move Alexander Isak out wide, but they’ll need a player like Gakpo more than a young buck like Rio Ngumoha. In fact, if he’s for sale, Newcastle should muscle into the race.
What’s next?
Liverpool host Nottingham Forest at 7:30am ET Saturday kickoff at Anfield, five hours before Newcastle’s 12:30pm kickoff against Spurs in North London.
Newcastle vs Liverpool final score: 2-2
Anthony Elanga 5', Cody Gakpo 55', Joe Willock 57', Dominik Szoboszlai pen 90+9'
Liverpool’s new boss has spoken after the 2-2 draw at St. James’ Park.
“We probably started the worst way. We knew Newcastle was at home with their atmosphere, first day of the season. Newcastle have very fast players in the top line, in transition. They punished us and we had to go against the result. We haven’t given up in any moment. I value a lot the energy especially the subs. Pleased we come away with one point.”
Thoughts on the game: “It was a tough end, hard luck I would say. In general I am really, really happy with the performance after such a short amount of time. The guy fought til the end. They put their heart on the pitch. Together with the crowd it was a good performance.”
How’s the team room now? “Of course their heads are a little bit down. But they are realistic and they know we’ve had many, many challenges already. We tried to encourage them.”
Thoughts on late penalty? “You call it a really soft one. If you give that then there will be so many penalties in the future. I’m not a fan of that. I disagree and more I cannot say.”
Starting young players was a choice:“It’s brave project but I like the challenge, moving with young lads. You’re right. In the end they were tired. Lewis Miley just came back from an injury and Sean Steur sees what they Premier League is. But it was an amazing job.”
Wissa behind Osula because of the latter’s speed? “It was indeed the thought behind that. We knew there would be space to attack. The first half, Will had the chance to score. It was a tight situation. We knew Wissa could play on the 10. It was a good combination between the two of them.”
Was it different being in the Premier League? “Yes. Because of the crowd here. Unbelievable and of course the quality in the game. You feel that every situation can be decisive. Every change can be decisive and this is something I really enjoy.”
More transfers? “I hope so, yes. Today the lads were doing amazing. Young squad. We have some needs. We know that internally.”
Our own Joe Prince-Wright has written about Liverpool’s defensive frailty at Newcastle:
“It’s clear that Liverpool need to move for a new holding midfielder in the final days of the transfer window. They may also need a new center back and one or two new full backs too.
“Iraola’s high-pressing tactics take time to work and we shouldn’t write him or Liverpool off after one bad defensive display. It took Bournemouth a long time to adapt to his demands a few years ago, and it worked out great in the end.”
Happy with the performance? "[Except] for the end of the game but that’s the mentality we need to have all through the season. The manager came 3-4 weeks ago and gave us a lot of information. Now we’ve shown on the pitch that we’re ready for the season. We draw and we have so much to work on.”
Kevin Keegan tributes charged the crowd: “Of course. What a special club. What a special man. We give him a big credit. It’s been unbelievable. The fans were unbelievable today. We gave them so much today and now we have to give that the whole season.”
Your best game in a Newcastle shirt? “It’s the best even though I didn’t score. I assisted my teammate but it’s the best so far. I’m so pleased to be here. I’ hope I showed well.”
Wild summer with DR Congo’s World Cup run: “The World Cup helped me a lot. They know me and I know them so it was a lot of confident games, goals, and emotions. Now the past is behind and of course it gave me a big push to step up in a Newcastle black and white shirt.”
How crazy has this preseason been with the transfers? “Preseason is important for the body, the confidence, and to talk with the guys, make some mistakes, and have some work to do. First game at home against Liverpool we drew and we need to be proud of this team. Young lads, first game for a few of them.”
On Matthias Jaissle: “He’s young. The new role he gave me gave me a lot of confidence. I need to back him. He expects me to be a leader, to lead the group. We have to be thinking forward, try to go for the kill. Just keeping a lot of energy. I’m very happy with him.”
We’re waiting for Andoni Iraola to speak, but Dominik Szoboszlai has already been in front of a microphone.
“To come here is always tough. First game of the season away. Everyone knows the fans are unbelievable. A good manager, new but showed himself at many other clubs. We with the new manager as well have to get even closer but it’s a good step after 2-1 to come back. We’ll prepare again for next week.”
His full thoughts are here.
A harsh ending to a good game.
A picture-perfect penalty to split the points in stoppage time.
Munoz has played Lewis Hall, winning a penalty in the fifth minute of stoppage time.
This from a fixture that saw Rio Ngumoha win last season with the latest goal in PL history (100 minutes).
Yoane Wissa gets into the box 1v1 with Alisson but gets all mixed up and hits a tepid effort at the keeper.
Liverpool go the other way, where Sven Botman makes a terrific sliding block on Munoz.
2-1 Magpies into the 87th minute.
Lewis Koumas will take the place of Ryan Gravenberch for the final 12 minutes plus stoppage as Liverpool chase a second equalizer.
Aladji Bamba and Jacob Murphy are into the game for Lewis Miley and the goal scorer Elanga.
Newcastle lead 1-0 now into the 77th minute.
World Cup winner Victor Munoz, a Newcastle target this summer, joins the fray along with Alexis Mac Allister. Ineffective Rio Ngumoha and midfielder Florian Wirtz exit in the 63rd minute.
Newcastle had also brought on Jacob Ramsey when they inserted Willock. Sean Steur and Will Osula checked out of it.
Matthias Jaissle with a master’s touch with this substitution, as Joe Willock had just entered the game and gets his first Premier League goal since February 24, 2024.
Yoane Wissa leads a strong, brilliant rush up the heart of the pitch and gets it to Willock, who rescues a tricky touch to deposit a gorgeous shot in the far side netting.
Too much time for the Dutchman to turn and assess his options from 25 yards.
There are half-spaces and then these ones, full spaces.
Gakpo drives a good-looking, low shot across goal and past Hornicek.
Neither Isak nor Jacquet can get enough contact off an early Liverpool corner, and Hornicek punches it free.
Newcastle go the other way and both Elanga and Osula can’t quite get their rushes right.
Elanga’s counter-attack goal flatters Newcastle a bit, but no one at St. James’ Park is above flattery when it’s 1-0 over Liverpool at the break.
Jeremy Jacquet and Virgil van Dijk have had a lot of clean-up work to do as the Liverpool fullbacks are both on yellow cards and weren’t doing so well before their cautions.
Lewis Miley and Yoane Wissa are Newcastle’s cautioned players, and Will Osula — who assisted Elanga’s goal — has been limping a bit. Could be time for Nick Woltemade and/or Bazoumana Traore.
Isak and Ngumoha have been quiet for Liverpool.
Harvey Barnes has won a central free kick for Newcastle, as Jeremie Frimpong is shown a yellow card about a minute after his opposite fullback, Milos Kerkez, is cautioned for Liverpool.
It’s from about the same distance as Szoboszlai’s effort, and Osula also hits the wall only to collect the rebound and hit a deflected shot out for a corner.
Szoboszlai draws a foul and he’s about 28 yards from goal, maybe closer, to the right of the arc.
The Hungarian strikes the wall with his 26th-minute effort, though.
Isak continues to be booed and Jeremy Jacquet is impressing with the ball, and now Liverpool come close to an equalizer.
Florian Wirtz gets a chance with a hard shot that takes a deflection and Lukas Hornicek gets hand to it, pawing the ball wide of the post.
Still 1-0 Magpies, now into the 19th minute.
Newcastle turn the ball up field in a vicious counterattack.
If there’s one player you don’t want in a foot race with your back, it’s Anthony Elanga.
Amad Dedic slides to clear a loose ball from his 18 and William Osula leads the charge up the center, holding the ball up so Elanga can blast past Milos Kerkez.
The Swede doesn’t slow up, and uses his space to roll a low shot past Alisson Becker and inside the far post.
Newcastle and Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan passed away this summer and the clubs have been celebrating his memory.
Both sides ring the center circle for a minute or more of boisterous applause as the supporters sing his name.
Liverpool’s Swedish star was a king around these parts during his hey day, but the manner in which he engineered his move to Anfield left a nasty taste in the Geordies’ collective mouth.
They’re letting him hear it, and Isak would love to to stick it to them. He’s up top against former teammate Sven Botman, though he could drift left and deal with Newcastle debutant Amar Dedic.
Matthias Jaissle is betting big on a young midfield duo of Lewis Miley and Sean Steur, the latter of whom has really impressed since arriving from Ajax this summer.
Nick Woltemade, Bazoumana Traore, and Aladji Bamba will have to wait their turns.
Liverpool’s bench is a bit less impressive than recent seasons but new signing Victor Munoz arrives on the back of a World Cup and both Alexis Mac Allister and Ronald Araujo are proven entities.
The pressure is on young Rio Ngumoha, who is the only starter in Liverpool’s front four without real senior bonafides. Cody Gakpo, Florian Wirtz, and Alexander Isak are already stars and the Reds would love Ngumoha to join them.
Andoni Iraola always goes for it, and his Liverpool lineup proves that.
He has Isak, Gakpo, Wirtz and Ngumoha starting, while Szoboszlai will also get forward from midfield.
This is a big day for new center back Jeremy Jacquet, with the French youngster looking very good in preseason.
Also, I’m sure Isak will get a warm welcome back at Newcastle...
Liverpool starting lineup
Alisson; Frimpong, Jacquet, Van Dijk, Kerkez; Gravenberch, Szoboszlai; Ngumoha, Wirtz, Gakpo; Isak
It will be absolutely fascinating to see how Newcastle get on in the next few weeks, as they start a new season without Eddie Howe in charge.
New manager Matthias Jaissle has named plenty of new signings in his first-ever Premier League starting lineup.
Osula leads the line with Wissa, Barnes and Elanga providing plenty of direct running underneath him.
Newcastle starting lineup
Hornicek; Dedic, Thiaw, Botman, Hall; Steur, Miley; Elanga, Wissa, Barnes; Osula
Kick off time: 11:30 am ET Sunday (August 23)
Venue: St. James’ Park — Newcastle
TV Channel: USA
Stream link: Watch online via USA
