Liverpool Salvages Draw Against Newcastle in Season Opener

New Delhi, India Aug 24, 2026 ALN: When Liverpool came to Newcastle last August, there was utter jubilation as Rio Ngumoha scored a remarkable 100th-minute winner.

They scored late again this time around, through Dominik Szoboszlai's 99th-minute penalty, but it felt more like a sense of relief than joy as they rescued a point.

Andoni Iraola said afterwards that his side did not deserve to lose and, to their credit, they never gave up as they earned a 2-2 draw.

A defeat would have been Liverpool's first on the opening weekend since 2012-13. A draw will do wonders for their spirit but it will certainly not mask their concerns.

"It's probably not the result you want when you come in before the game but we definitely deserve this point and even more," Iraola told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"The team has never given up and we've recovered one point and probably the taste is better because we score in the last minute."

Iraola will be content with the outcome, given his side trailed twice at a raucous St James' Park.

However, the match also served as a reminder of the challenges both teams face as the season progresses. On the flight back to Merseyside on Sunday evening, Iraola would have had time to consider the performance, which highlighted why his squad needs more depth.

"You're expecting Liverpool to get top four this season at least but they didn't look like a top four team today," former Scotland winger Pat Nevin told 5 Live. Nevin's comments reflect the broader expectations surrounding Liverpool, a club that has historically been a dominant force in English .

"There are more players to come in, so you can't make a real decision on how their season is going to go. There's a definite lack of creativity and somehow they must get the best out of Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak because you certainly didn't get the best out of them today."

All eyes were on Wirtz and Isak - the Sweden striker, signed from Newcastle in a drawn-out saga last September, was booed relentlessly whenever he touched the ball. Wirtz did start positively, but was replaced just after the hour mark after Newcastle went 2-1 up.

Isak had 28 touches and looked fired up but wasted a brilliant opportunity in the second half - the kind of which he would take regularly when he was at Newcastle. Both players, signed for nine-figure fees last summer, will know that their overall output and connection must improve over the coming weeks and months if they are to justify their hefty price tags.

This remains a Liverpool side offering more questions than answers. One significant question is the Cody Gakpo conundrum, which will roll into the final week of the transfer window. If Liverpool do bring in two more attacking players, then Gakpo may leave.

The club have been linked with Paris St-Germain's Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye and have had two bids rejected for Brighton's Yankuba Minteh. Yet Dutchman Gakpo was Liverpool's best player at Newcastle and took his goal brilliantly, showcasing his potential despite the team's overall struggles.

Another positive for Liverpool was the performance of Spanish forward Victor Munoz on his Liverpool debut from the bench. Munoz won the late penalty after replacing Ngumoha, but Iraola's decision to take off the English teenager after just over an hour summed up how much he struggled down the right.

Ngumoha will turn 18 next week and has preferred to play down the left throughout his youth career, but failed to have an impact on the other side. With Iraola determined to have his wingers able to play on both sides, it remains to be seen if that experiment persists once Liverpool get more attackers in.

What is for certain is that Iraola needs more options. Once Munoz and Alexis Mac Allister came on in the 63rd minute, Iraola's remaining bench options were limited: Giorgi Mamardashvili, Ronald Araujo, Wataru Endo, Kostas Tsimikas, Trey Nyoni, James McConnell, and Lewis Koumas. The lack of depth in the squad could pose significant challenges as the season progresses, particularly with the rigors of domestic and European competitions.

Defensively, both Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong had poor games at full-back, and Liverpool were undone on the counter-attack for both of the goals they conceded. This defensive frailty is a concern for a team aspiring to reclaim its status among the elite in the Premier League.

The implications of this match extend beyond just the immediate result. For Liverpool, the draw raises questions about their readiness for the season ahead. The team must quickly address its issues in creativity and defensive solidity to compete effectively in the Premier League and other tournaments.

For Newcastle, the resilience displayed in this match can be seen as a positive sign. The ability to fight back and earn a draw against a historically strong opponent may foster confidence and momentum as they aim for a successful campaign. However, like Liverpool, they too must consider the depth of their squad and the necessity of consistent performances from key players to achieve their ambitions.

As both teams move forward, the early stages of the season will be crucial in shaping their respective paths. The transfer window remains open, and for both clubs, strategic acquisitions could be the key to enhancing their squads and addressing the gaps identified in this match.

In conclusion, while Liverpool salvaged a point and avoided an opening-day defeat, the performance highlighted significant areas for improvement. Newcastle, on the other hand, can take heart from their spirited display but must also reflect on their own need for greater consistency and depth. As the season unfolds, both clubs will be looking to refine their strategies and strengthen their squads to meet the high expectations set by their supporters.