Liverpool secured a point in their opening Premier League fixture, drawing 2-2 against Newcastle United at St James’ Park. Dominik Szoboszlai converted a penalty in the 99th minute to level the score, providing a sense of relief for manager Andoni Iraola on his debut. The result meant Liverpool avoided their first opening weekend defeat since the 2012-13 season.
Iraola expressed satisfaction with the outcome, particularly given his side trailed twice during the match. He noted that the team did not deserve to lose and praised their resilience, stating that the late goal improved the overall feeling about the draw. Despite the positive result, the performance highlighted areas where the squad may need further depth, a point Iraola likely considered on the return journey to Merseyside.
Performance and Squad Concerns
The match saw Newcastle, under new manager Matthias Jaissle, take an early lead in the fifth minute through Anthony Elanga, who scored his first league goal for the club. This goal stemmed from Liverpool’s midfield committing too many players forward, leaving their centre-backs exposed. Iraola acknowledged this issue, stating that the team had been discussing the need to finish plays more effectively and avoid overdoing things in the initial phase of play.
Alexander Isak, making his first return to St James’ Park since his transfer from Newcastle, faced a chorus of boos from the home crowd. Despite being signed for a nine-figure fee last summer, along with Florian Wirtz, Isak had a disappointing afternoon with only 28 touches and a missed opportunity in the second half. Wirtz, who started positively, was substituted just after the hour mark when Newcastle took a 2-1 lead. Both players will need to improve their output and connection in the coming weeks.
Cody Gakpo emerged as Liverpool’s most dangerous player, scoring a low drive in the 55th minute to equalise for the first time. However, Newcastle quickly regained their lead three minutes later when Joe Willock scored after impressive work from Yoane Wissa. Gakpo’s future at Anfield remains uncertain, with reports suggesting he could depart if Liverpool brings in two more attacking players before the transfer window closes. The club has been linked with Paris St-Germain‘s Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye, and has had two bids rejected for Brighton‘s Yankuba Minteh.
Another positive for Liverpool was the performance of Spanish forward Victor Munoz, who made his debut from the bench and won the late penalty. However, Rio Ngumoha, who was replaced by Munoz, struggled on the right wing. Iraola’s decision to substitute the English teenager after just over an hour highlighted his difficulties. Ngumoha, who prefers to play on the left, failed to make an impact on the right, raising questions about the manager’s experimental use of wingers on both sides, especially as Liverpool seeks more attacking options.
Defensive Vulnerabilities and Manager’s Outlook
Defensively, Liverpool showed vulnerabilities, particularly at full-back, where both Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong had challenging games. The team conceded both of Newcastle’s goals from counter-attacks, underscoring a persistent issue. Since the start of last season, Liverpool has conceded more goals via fast breaks than any other Premier League team, with a total of nine.
The absence of a dedicated defensive midfielder was also evident, with Iraola deploying Alexis Mac Allister just ahead of the back four after Willock’s goal. This tactical adjustment highlights a potential area for reinforcement within the squad. Iraola’s remaining bench options after the 63rd-minute substitutions of Munoz and Mac Allister included Giorgi Mamardashvili, Ronald Araujo, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, and Lewis Koumas, suggesting a need for more senior depth.
Despite these concerns, Iraola remained positive about aspects of his team’s performance. He stated, “I’ve liked a lot of the things I’ve seen from the team. There’s definitely things to improve like the goals but I’ve seen a lot of things I’ve liked from the team. I’ve liked the energy, especially the players coming from the bench. I think we finished the game quite strong physically.” Szoboszlai echoed this sentiment, emphasising the team’s fighting spirit and the impact of substitutes, stating, “We will never give up. I can guarantee you that. We have to fight every time – all day long during the 90 minutes. Everybody who came off the bench also made an impact as well. We need the whole squad and we need to be ready.”
The draw at St James’ Park marks the beginning of Iraola’s tenure, with the team showing both promise and areas requiring significant improvement in terms of both quality and quantity within the squad. The match concluded with Szoboszlai’s 99th-minute penalty, securing a crucial point for Liverpool.
Source: bbc.com