Iraola is the figurehead of a new era for Liverpool after Arne Slot’s close-season sacking and Mohamed Salah’s departure to Trabzonspor. Liverpool’s first steps into the future were uncomfortable, with Newcastle exposing the defensive flaws that proved fatal for Slot last season. Anthony Elanga put Newcastle ahead in the first half before Cody Gakpo equalised soon after the interval.
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.
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.
The chorus of disapproval for Isak was soon replaced with ear-splitting roars of celebration after Newcastle’s electric fifth-minute opener. 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. If that summed up Liverpool’s forgettable first half, the sight of Isak passing up a host of chances was even more discouraging.
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. 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. The Dutch forward collected Gravenberch’s 55th-minute pass, turned and drilled a superb low strike that whistled past Lukas Hornicek from 25 yards.
