Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool: Szoboszlai’s 99th-Minute Penalty Denies Magpies a Shock Win
Willock’s second-half strike had Newcastle on the brink of a famous win, before a stoppage-time penalty rescued a point in a wild Newcastle vs Liverpool.
Premier League | Matchweek 1 | St James’ Park | Sunday, 23 August 2026
Final Score: Newcastle United 2-2 Liverpool Goals: Anthony Elanga 5′ (Newcastle), Cody Gakpo 55′ (Liverpool), Joe Willock 57′ (Newcastle), Dominik Szoboszlai 90+9′ pen (Liverpool)
Newcastle United and Liverpool served up an extraordinary season-opening draw at St James’ Park, with Dominik Szoboszlai’s penalty deep into a nine-minute stoppage period denying the Magpies what would have been one of the club’s biggest results in years. Both sides were appearing under new head coaches for the first time — Matthias Jaissle for Newcastle and Andoni Iraola for Liverpool — and the occasion delivered every bit of the intensity that billing promised.
First Half: Elanga’s Early Strike Sets the Tone
Newcastle could not have asked for a better start. In just the fifth minute, William Osula turned provider, releasing Anthony Elanga to finish clinically and send St James’ Park into raptures. The goal was checked and confirmed by VAR, but nothing could dampen the atmosphere inside a stadium desperate for a big result against one of the league’s traditional heavyweights.
The opening goal set the pattern for a first half in which Newcastle looked the sharper, more aggressive side. Jaissle’s team, missing captain Joelinton and full-back Tino Livramento through injury, pressed with real intent and gave a much-changed Liverpool side — playing under Iraola for the first time — little rhythm in possession. Isak, now leading Liverpool’s line following his summer move from Newcastle, was kept quiet for large stretches by a defence well-drilled in stopping him.
Second Half: Two Goals in Two Minutes
Liverpool emerged for the second half with more purpose, and their pressure told just after the hour mark. In the 55th minute, Ryan Gravenberch’s pass sent Cody Gakpo through, and the Dutch forward finished coolly to level the scores and temporarily silence the home crowd.
The response from Newcastle was almost immediate. Joe Willock, introduced from the bench moments earlier, needed just seconds to make an impact, restoring the hosts’ lead in the 57th minute in a goal that was again subjected to VAR review before being confirmed. Two goals inside two minutes left both benches scrambling for answers and set up a frantic final third of the match.
Stoppage-Time Heartbreak for Newcastle
With Newcastle protecting a 2-1 lead deep into the closing stages, both managers rang the changes in search of a decisive edge. Iraola turned to Víctor Muñoz, Alexis Mac Allister and Lewis Koumas, while Jaissle brought on Jacob Murphy, Aladji Bamba and Fabián Schär to shore things up and manage the closing minutes.
It appeared to be enough — until deep into a nine-minute stoppage period, when substitute Muñoz threaded a pass in behind for Lewis Hall, who was brought down inside the box. Referee awarded a penalty in the ninety-ninth minute, and Dominik Szoboszlai stepped up to convert calmly, sparking wild celebrations among the away supporters and sending a sense of déjà vu around a ground that saw Liverpool score the latest goal in Premier League history at this very fixture last season.
Newcastle, who had been seconds away from a statement victory in Jaissle’s first game in charge, were left to rue a missed opportunity, while Liverpool escaped Tyneside with a point that will feel like a small victory given how the closing stages unfolded.
Key Moments
- 5′ — Anthony Elanga gives Newcastle an early lead, assisted by William Osula.
- 55′ — Cody Gakpo levels for Liverpool, set up by Ryan Gravenberch.
- 57′ — Joe Willock restores Newcastle’s lead within two minutes of coming on.
- 90+9′ — Dominik Szoboszlai converts a stoppage-time penalty to complete the comeback draw.
Team News & Lineups
Newcastle United (4-3-3): Newcastle lined up without the injured Joelinton and Tino Livramento, with Anthony Elanga, Yoane Wissa and Harvey Barnes operating behind William Osula. New signing Bazoumana Touré was among those in contention to feature. The Magpies also began life without three key departures from last season in Anthony Gordon, Sandro Tonali and Bruno Guimarães.
Liverpool (4-2-3-1): Alisson; Jeremie Frimpong, Virgil van Dijk, Ronald Araújo, Milos Kerkez; Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch; Rio Ngumoha, Florian Wirtz, Cody Gakpo; Alexander Isak
Substitutions: Newcastle brought on Jacob Ramsey and Joe Willock before later introducing Jacob Murphy, Aladji Bamba and Fabián Schär. Liverpool turned to Víctor Muñoz, Alexis Mac Allister, and Lewis Koumas, with Rio Ngumoha and Florian Wirtz withdrawn in the 63rd minute.
Analysis
This was as complete a season-opening statement of intent as either new head coach could have hoped to make, even if neither will be fully satisfied with a draw. Jaissle’s Newcastle showed real quality in transition and looked the more dangerous side for long periods, but a lapse in concentration in stoppage time — allowing Hall in behind with the game seemingly won — proved costly. For Iraola, the manner of Liverpool’s fightback, and their ability to find a route back into the game twice, will offer encouragement even amid a performance that was some way short of the standard the club will demand across the season.
What’s Next
Both sides open the Premier League season with a point apiece, level on the table after Matchweek 1. Newcastle will look to bounce back from the disappointment of missing out on victory, while Liverpool will hope this dramatic opener proves to be the platform for a stronger showing under Iraola in the weeks ahead.
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Kick-off is 4:30pm on Tyneside, and the storylines write themselves before a ball is kicked. Andoni Iraola takes his first competitive bow as Liverpool head coach, arriving from Bournemouth on the promise of restoring the high-octane football that defined the Reds’ Klopp years after a difficult, fifth-placed finish for his predecessor. Across the touchline, Matthias Jaissle begins his own rebuild at a Newcastle side that sold three of its most influential players this summer — Sandro Tonali, Bruno Guimarães and Anthony Gordon all departed, leaving the German with a squad still finding its shape.
Then there is Alexander Isak. The Swedish striker forced through a deadline-day move to Anfield twelve months ago, and his return to St James’ Park as a Liverpool player gives this opener an edge no fixture list could manufacture. He is expected to lead the line in Iraola’s 4-2-3-1, with Florian Wirtz — one of the summer’s marquee arrivals — playing just behind him.
Liverpool’s build-up hasn’t been without turbulence of its own. Hugo Ekitike is sidelined with an Achilles issue, while Joe Gomez, Conor Bradley and Giovanni Leoni all miss out through injury, forcing Iraola into an early call at centre-back between new signing Jérémy Jacquet and loanee Ronaldo Araújo alongside Virgil van Dijk. What pre-season has shown, though, is intent: Liverpool scored 20 goals across six warm-up matches, a number that hints at exactly the front-foot approach Iraola built his reputation on at Bournemouth.
Newcastle’s preparation has been shakier — a winless run through their final three pre-season fixtures — and fitness doubts over Fabian Schär and Valentino Livramento add further uncertainty to a back line that will be tested from the first whistle. Bruno Guimarães’s departure leaves a considerable creative void, one Newcastle haven’t fully solved in the market.
For all the upheaval on both sides, the head-to-head history argues against a straightforward afternoon. This is a fixture that has produced late drama for years running, and with two defences short on cohesion this early in the season, goals at both ends look the safer bet. Liverpool’s attacking depth — Isak, Wirtz, Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai all available in some combination — gives Iraola the edge on paper, but St James’ Park has rarely made anything easy for Liverpool, and a new manager’s bow is no guarantee against the ambush this ground is famous for producing.
Verdict: Liverpool to edge a high-scoring opener, though anyone expecting a comfortable afternoon hasn’t been paying attention to how this fixture usually behaves.
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