Szoboszlai’s Late Penalty Rescues Liverpool Against Newcastle
Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up in the ninth minute of stoppage time, the noise inside St James’ Park drained to a nervous hush, and buried a penalty that ripped two points out of Newcastle United’s hands and salvaged a 2-2 draw for Liverpool.
Newcastle had felt this one was theirs. It almost was.
Elanga announces the new era
The first roar came early. On just five minutes, Anthony Elanga lit up the afternoon, striking the first goal of the new league campaign for Newcastle. It set the tone: sharp, aggressive, front-foot football under Matthias Jaissle, the man tasked with succeeding Eddie Howe.
Liverpool, under Andoni Iraola after Arne Slot’s departure, took time to settle. The visitors saw plenty of the ball but struggled to turn possession into incision. Newcastle hunted in packs, the home crowd sensing vulnerability and responding with that familiar, fevered energy.
Alexander Isak, back in the north-east after an injury-hit first season at Liverpool following his move from Newcastle, cut an isolated figure. The narrative of a dramatic return never materialised; Liverpool’s former record signing barely had a sight of goal, smothered by his old club.
Gakpo hits back, Willock answers instantly
The game swung after the interval. On 55 minutes, Cody Gakpo finally cracked Newcastle’s resistance, drilling home a precise equaliser and briefly silencing the stands. It felt like a momentum shift, Liverpool at last finding a cutting edge.
That lasted two minutes.
Elanga exploded into space on the counter, driving upfield with purpose before slipping the ball to Joe Willock. From distance, Willock wrapped his foot around a curling strike that sailed beyond Alisson and into the net. Newcastle were back in front, and St James’ Park roared again.
Jaissle and Iraola, both on the touchline for their first league games with their new clubs, cut contrasting figures: one sensing a statement victory, the other urging his team forward in search of a second equaliser.
Hall’s late mistake, Szoboszlai’s cold finish
Liverpool pushed. Newcastle defended. Time bled away. An opening-day win, the perfect launch for the Jaissle era, crept closer with every clearance.
Then came the twist.
Deep into stoppage time, Liverpool debutant Víctor Muñoz darted into the box. Lewis Hall mistimed his challenge and caught him. Penalty. The stadium, so loud all afternoon, fell almost silent.
Szoboszlai took responsibility. No hesitation, no drama in the run-up. He struck it cleanly and emphatically, burying the spot-kick to make it 2-2 and stun the home crowd in the ninth minute of added time.
Newcastle, seconds from victory, were left with only a point. Liverpool, flat for long stretches, walked away with something that felt far bigger than a draw.
A shared start, a shared stage
For Jaissle and Iraola, this was an introduction to the unforgiving rhythms of Premier League life: leads surrendered, late drama, and no time to breathe. Both managers leave with a point, but very different emotions.
Before any of that unfolded, the afternoon had paused for something more important. Both clubs united to pay an emotional tribute to Kevin Keegan, the iconic figure who shaped eras at Newcastle and Liverpool and recently died at the age of 75. The applause, the shared respect, framed the contest that followed.
By the final whistle, the new chapters had begun, but the question lingered: if this is how opening day looks, what kind of chaos will the rest of the season bring?
