Premier League
Newcastle
Aug 23, 2026 4.30pm
2
2
HT : 1 0
FT St. James' Park
Liverpool
  • Anthony Elanga 5' goal
  • Yoane Wissa 25' yellowcard
  • Lewis Miley  34' yellowcard
  • Joe Willock 57' goal
  • Jacob Ramsey 65' yellowcard
  • Jacob Murphy 79' yellowcard
  • Lukas Hornicek 90'+3' yellowcard
  • yellowcard Milos Kerkez 30'
  • yellowcard Jeremie Frimpong 30'
  • goal Cody Gakpo 55'
  • yellowcard Virgil van Dijk  90'
  • goal Dominik Szoboszlai 90'+9'

Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool: Highlights, man of the match, stats as Dominik Szoboszlai penalty covers major flaws

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Szoboszlai the saviour: Reds' flaws exposed but escape with point in Toon draw
© Iconsport / PA Images

Dominik Szoboszlai's last-minute penalty rescued Liverpool a point, as they drew 2-2 with Newcastle United at St James' Park on Sunday.

The hosts were lethal on the counter-attack in the early stages, with Anthony Elanga racing away on the right before slotting past Alisson Becker into the left side of the net.

Newcastle caused the Reds numerous issues whenever possession was turned over, but they visitors found themselves level less than 10 minutes after the break thanks to an excellent long-range strike from Cody Gakpo.

However, it would take the Toon just two minutes to take the lead, with Joe Willock finishing an excellent counter after poor defending from Szoboszlai.

It looked as if the Merseysiders would suffer an opening-day defeat, only for Szoboszlai to convert a 99th-minute penalty after a reckless foul by Lewis Hall on Victor Munoz.

The stalemate leaves both teams with one point, with Newcastle in 10th in the Premier League table and Liverpool in ninth.

SPORTS MOLE'S VERDICT

© Iconsport / ALLSTAR PICTURE LIBRARY, Allstar Picture Library Ltd / Alamy

There were no expectations from Newcastle fans that their side could secure a positive result against Liverpool, but they played well enough to take all three despite only leaving St James' Park with one.

Matthias Jaissle can be proud of the Magpies' performance, although the true test of his coaching credentials will come when his team do not have the luxury of sitting deep. 

The game should have made clear to Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola that he cannot go into the season with Szoboszlai and Ryan Gravenberch as his double pivot if he wants to win major honours.

Both midfielders were caught in Newcastle's box for the opener, and their lack of defensive instincts will cost the club numerous goals.

However, the resilience that his side displayed was reminiscent of the days of Jurgen Klopp, as the visitors showed a fighting spirit that was lacking under Arne Slot.

NEWCASTLE UNITED VS. LIVERPOOL HIGHLIGHTS

Anthony Elanga goal vs. Liverpool (5th min, Newcastle United 1-0 Liverpool)

After a poor pass by Gravenberch, Newcastle race away from the edge of their box through William Osula, who slides through to Elanga on the right, and the winger calmly fires past Alisson.

A horrible defensive setup by Liverpool!

Cody Gakpo goal vs. Newcastle United (55th min, Newcastle United 1-1 Liverpool)

Gravenberch plays a disguised pass through to Gakpo in a central area, and despite being some distance from the box, the winger unleashes a low strike into the bottom-left corner.

A farewell goal?

Joe Willock goal vs. Liverpool (57th min, Newcastle United 2-1 Liverpool)

Szoboszlai fails to stop Yoane Wissa's charge from his own box, and the forward makes his way to Liverpool's penalty area before passing to Willock on his left, and the midfielder places an effort into the bottom-right corner.

A quick response!

Dominik Szoboszlai goal vs. Newcastle United (99th min, Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool)

Munoz is tripped by Hall in the penalty area, and Szoboszlai composes himself before he fires ferociously into the roof of the net on the left.

The Hungarian rescues a point!

MAN OF THE MATCH - YOANE WISSA

© Iconsport / PA Images

With so many key players having left Newcastle, the only way they were going to avoid defeat on Sunday was if their forwards were at their best, and Wissa was certainly at the top of his game.

The attacker was dominant when battling Liverpool's stars, and he routinely outfought the likes of Szoboszlai, with the 29-year-old winning 11 of his 16 duels.

NEWCASTLE UNITED VS. LIVERPOOL MATCH STATS

Possession: Newcastle United 39%-61% Liverpool

Shots: Newcastle United 13-27 Liverpool

Shots on target: Newcastle United 4-7 Liverpool

Corners: Newcastle United 2-6 Liverpool

Fouls: Newcastle United 16-15 Liverpool

BEST STATS

WHAT NEXT?

Newcastle will host West Bromwich Albion at St James' Park on Wednesday in the EFL Cup, before facing Tottenham Hotspur on August 29 away from home.

Liverpool will welcome Nottingham Forest to Anfield on Saturday, with the Reds then set to play Ipswich Town on September 4.

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