Szoboszlai’s last-gasp leveller rescues Liverpool in Newcastle draw

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Liverpool’s Hungarian midfielder #08 Dominik Szoboszlai scores their second goal from the penalty spot during the English Premier League football match between Newcastle United and Liverpool at St James’ Park in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, north east England on August 23, 2026. (Photo by Paul ELLIS / AFP) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE. No use with unauthorized audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or ‘live’ services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No video emulation. Social media in-match use limited to 120 images. An additional 40 images may be used in extra time. No use in betting publications, games or single club/league/player publications. /

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Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai scored a penalty with the last kick of the game to rescue a dramatic 2-2 draw against Newcastle in Andoni Iraola’s first match in charge of the Reds.

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Iraola is the figurehead of a new era for Liverpool after Arne Slot’s close-season sacking and Mohamed Salah’s departure to Trabzonspor.

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Liverpool’s first steps into the future were uncomfortable, with Newcastle exposing the defensive flaws that proved fatal for Slot last season.

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Anthony Elanga put Newcastle ahead in the first half before Cody Gakpo equalised soon after the interval.

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Joe Willock’s first Premier League goal since 2024 restored Newcastle’s advantage, but Szoboszlai held his nerve to net with a stoppage-time penalty after Lewis Hall fouled Victor Munoz.

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It was a mixed start for Iraola, who can take heart from his team’s refusal to accept defeat, but will be concerned by their unconvincing display.

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For the first time since 2016, Liverpool kicked off a campaign without Egypt forward Mohamed Salah as their talisman, while Ibrahima Konate and Andrew Robertson have also departed for Real Madrid and Tottenham, respectively.

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Iraola earned plaudits for leading Bournemouth to European qualification last season with his astute tactics and high-energy style of play.

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Tasked with rebuilding a Liverpool squad that finished a disappointing fifth in the Premier League last season, he faces a tough task to catch champions Arsenal on the evidence of a timid performance that barely deserved the point they escaped with at St James’ Park.

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Debutant defender Jeremy Jacquet was erratic alongside Virgil van Dijk at centre-back, while 17-year-old winger Rio Ngumoha was unable to fill the void left by Salah, who scored his first goals for Trabzonspor while his old club were spluttering.

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Fans of both clubs were united for an emotional pre-match tribute to former Newcastle manager and Liverpool striker Kevin Keegan, who died recently aged 75.

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– Late escape act –

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It was a stark contrast to the treatment given to Alexander Isak, who was back at St James’ Park for the first time since his acrimonious £125 million ($170 million) move to Liverpool last year.

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Once a hero to the Toon Army after helping end Newcastle’s 56-year trophy drought by winning the League Cup in 2025, the Sweden striker was greeted by deafening boos and x-rated chants labelling him “greedy”.

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The chorus of disapproval for Isak was soon replaced with ear-splitting roars of celebration after Newcastle’s electric fifth-minute opener.

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William Osula started the blistering raid with an incisive run and pass that sent Elanga sprinting clear of the flat-footed Milos Kerkez for a clinical finish into the far corner.

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Ryan Gravenberch was caught out of position in the build-up to the goal, while Van Dijk and Jacquet were also culpable as they reacted slowly in a breakdown that had alarming similarities to Liverpool’s woes last season.

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If that summed up Liverpool’s forgettable first half, the sight of Isak passing up a host of chances was even more discouraging.

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Iraola has admitted Liverpool need to sign more wingers to help replace Salah, but Gakpo, who has been linked with Tottenham, showed he could still flourish after an inconsistent spell.

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The Dutch forward collected Gravenberch’s 55th-minute pass, turned and drilled a superb low strike that whistled past Lukas Hornicek from 25 yards.

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Willock restored Newcastle’s advantage just two minutes later.

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Again Liverpool were guilty of sloppy defending, with Yoane Wissa’s burst pushing them back before Willock danced past Jeremie Frimpong to net with a fine finish from the edge of the area.

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But Newcastle choked at the last, with Hall rashly fouling debutant winger Munoz and Szoboszlai lashing the spot-kick into the top corner.

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